2008 Kickz Tournament
The 2008 Kickz tournament was again hosted by Crystal Palace with 19 London teams in attendance with team participating in two age groups (under 16 and under 18). The event took place at Goals Soccer Centre in Elmers end, on the 26th of August.
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.
As a celebration of the Programme and as a chance for networking this was the second year that the Pan London tournament was held and this was also the second year that Crystal Palace Kickz hosted the event.
Organised by Trevor Meader, Kickz Project Officer at Crystal Palace FC, Football in the Community the Tournament included Kickz teams from all over London including Charlton , Millwall, Fulham, Leyton Orient, Tottenham, Brentford, West Ham, Watford, Chelsea. and Crystal Palace.
The eventual winners in the under 16s age group were Millwall beating Fulham 5-4 on penalties and in the Under 18s it was Millwall winning a hard fought contest against Tottenham 1-0.
This year we had great support from the Football Foundation, in organising the event and on the day Sainsbury's Crystal Palace sponsored the water for all the teams taking part. Additionally Frank and Nike contributed to the day.
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.
