Greater Manchester

First support football tournament to give anti-social behaviour the red card

First were proud to support youngsters in Manchester at a special football tournament held between six primary schools to pitch their skills against other pupils and learn about being good citizens.

The tournament was organised by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and First Bus as part of the Cheetham Respect Action Neighbourhood to teach the youngsters new football skills and tackle anti social behaviour.

Pupils from Cheetham Primary, Cheetwood Primary, Temple Primary, St Malachy's RC Primary, Saviour Primary and St Chad's RC Primary schools took part in the tournament at Manchester Maccabi Sport Centre on Bury Old Road on Wednesday 11th February 2009.

Cheetham Primary won the tournament and received a special visit from the organisers, Police Officers and a Service Delivery Manager from First Bus to receive their trophies and a brand new pair of football boots each! All six schools were visited to talk to the youngsters about anti social behaviour on public transport.

The year 5 pupils were told of how vandalism affects the running of our services and the cost involved to repair the buses, using images to show how dangerous vandalism is on buses. They were shown how CCTV operates and the consequences of being involved in anti social behaviour or vandalism on buses.

Manchester City Council's Executive Member for the Environment , Councillor Richard Cowell also attended the winning school and said: "The idea of this scheme is to engage the youngsters through football and use the event as an opportunity to talk to them about how to behave on public transport and how to be a good citizen."

The whole event was a success in teaching the youngsters correct behaviour through the fun event of a football tournament.