Kickz kids’ great feat

KICKZ players and officials are looking forward to their trip to Chelsea.

YOUNGSTERS from Oldham will go to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground on Saturday to play in the final of a national football tournament.

The under-16 team from Oldham Athletic’s Kickz project have qualified for the showpiece event in which they will line up against Arsenal, Barnet, Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Reading.

Although Athletic lost on penalties to Manchester City in the final of the regional tournament at Partington Sports Village, they made it through to Stamford Bridge after capturing the fair play award.

The under-14 team narrowly failed to reach Derby County’s Pride Park when they lost 1-0 in the final after dominating their game against Manchester United.

James Mwale, Athletic’s Kickz co-ordinator, said the aim of competing in the tournament was to represent Oldham in a positive way.

“The lads did Oldham proud and everyone was taken aback by their team spirit and togetherness.

“That represents the power that football can have in making a difference to young people’s attitudes,” he said.

The Kickz programme, which is backed by the Football Foundation, Premier League, Metropolitan Police and other forces, is delivered in deprived areas.

It works with 39 professional clubs and engages young people, aged between 12 and 18 years, in activities in a bid to build safer, stronger and more respectful communities

Athletic operate a Kickz scheme in Coldhurst where sessions are run three evenings each week and focus on issues like drug awareness, healthy eating, volunteering, career development and anti-weapons workshops.