Bexley Rotarians Score a Success with Local Youngsters
The Rotary Club of Bexley has celebrated its 75th anniversary by donating 75 footballs to Bexley's Ball Court League.
Members of the Ball Court League, which is made up of five-a-side football teams consisting of local boys and girls aged 14-19-years-old, were delighted with the presentation which took place at East Wickham Open Space, Welling, on Tuesday 24 April.
The spectacular hand-over of footballs, organised by Bexley Council's Neighbourhood Services Team, came after Rotary members heard about the initiative and were greatly impressed at its success in helping to keep youngsters off the street.
The popular scheme is run by a number of agencies including Bexley Council, Charlton Athletic Community Scheme, Bexley Community Safety Partnership and Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Teams.
Brian Ward, President of the Rotary Club of Bexley said: "We are always looking for ways to help locally. This league seemed an excellent means of encouraging local youths to participate in an organised and supervised active sport."
Tony Ball, Youth Development Officer, Bexley Youth Service, said: "This is a very generous donation and both myself and the young people involved with the Ball Court League would like to say a big 'thank you'. It is always heartening to see our young people encouraged in what they do. They all train hard and gain great enjoyment from five-a-side football."
Dean Redwood, Charlton Athletic Community Scheme's social inclusion officer for Bexley added: "We would like to thank the Rotary Club for their generosity in helping young people play football. We need to continue maximising and strengthening our partnership work and donations so we can provide young people with a range of diverse activities during the evenings."
It is not too late for young people to become involved and join the league. Although individual teams have now been registered, teams often turn up short on players. If you would like to join in and boost their numbers, please contact Tony Ball on 020 8855 4046 ext 208 or (mobile) 0798 0815783.
