Crystal Palace Football Club Social Inclusion team and Croydon Council joined forces on Friday 29^th of August to stage the Safer Croydon Partnership Peace Week Football tournament at Powerleague in Norbury .

London Week of Peace is an annual event and throughout the week a series of various events and initiatives are organised by partnerships, communities and individuals throughout London. This year's week of peace will focus on the challenges faced by the youth of our capital city. In seeking to enhance community cohesion, understanding and peace, young people will be at the heart of our efforts.

Croydon Council sent out invites throughout the Croydon borough to all the youth services and this culminated with over 80 young people participating on the day.

The tournament was run by Trevor Meader Kickz Project Officer for Croydon.

The day consisted of two tournaments an Under 14s and under 18s with a prize also being awarded for the team that best embraces the ethos of Peace Week Tournament. Refreshment and a goodie bag were on the day were kindly provided by Croydon Council for all participants.

The winners on the day for the under 14's were Sporting Skills B who defeated Grove Park estate. The winners for the under 18's were Milne Park who beat Sporting Skills in a hard fought battle 2-1. The Peace week team of the tournament who embraced the events ethos were Highbury Avenue. They displayed a great attitude throughout the event.

The winners of both age groups will be presented their trophies on the pitch at half time in today's game against Swansea FC by Councillor Steve O'Connell.

The day was a great success for both age groups and a quote from George Henry scorer of the winning goal in the final for Milne Park summed up the day. George said "Today was a great day for all the teams and we all enjoyed the tournament and it was great for all the teams to come together for such a good event."

Kickz is a football-based scheme that has developed through local partnerships with a number of agencies including the Premier League, The Football Association, The Football League, the Football Foundation, the Metropolitan Police Service, and the Metropolitan Police Authority to create a social inclusion project.

The aims of the programme is to engage young people in a range of constructive activities which link to the Every Child Matters framework, breaking down barriers between the police and young people, reducing crime and anti social behaviour in the targeted neighbourhoods using football as the main conduit to achieving this via estate based sessions supported by additional sessions and activities based upon the requests of the young people.

The Croydon Kickz projects are based at Highbury Youth Centre at Norbury on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays 5-8pm and at Milne Park, Addington on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 5-8pm. If you would like more information please contact the office on 0208 768 6047 or e-mail Trevor Meader Croydon Kickz Officer on Trevor.meader@fitc.cpfc.co.uk.