Information Bulletin
20 February 2007
Midnight League Football Kicks Off in Shetland
Teenagers will have an alternative to roaming the streets of Lerwick on Saturday nights, as a late night five-a-side football initiative begins this weekend.
The Midnight League programme, sponsored by Bank of Scotland, is part of a national drive by the Scottish Football Association, local authorities and the police to reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour among 12 to 16 year olds.
All 32 local authorities in Scotland are involved in the programme, including Shetland, where indoor football sessions will take place at Clickimin Centre on Saturdays from 10 to 11pm over the next eight weeks until mid-April. All sessions will be free of charge and be open to any young people between the ages of 12 and 18.
The programme has been co-ordinated locally by Shetland Islands Council, with the support of Northern Constabulary and Shetland Recreational Trust. The Council's Neighbourhood Support Workers and youth work staff will be on hand to help organise the football sessions and to mix with the young people who come along.
Constable Graham Mackenzie, Youth Liaison Officer in Lerwick commented - "My experience of Midnight League in other parts of rural Scotland has been very positive. It is not only a healthy physical activity for young people, but it can help to reduce anti-social behaviour at weekends. I obviously hope this will have a similar impact here in Lerwick over the coming weeks. "
Karen Tighe, Acting Head of Sponsorship with Bank of Scotland said: "We're delighted that the Bank of Scotland Midnight League has reached Shetland. Midnight League was originally launched as a pilot in 2003 and it has since been a great success across Scotland. We anticipate that 10,000 young people around the country will take part in the programme this year."
The Bank of Scotland Midnight League programme starts at Clickimin Centre on Saturday 24th February at 10pm.
ENDS