Award winning First Football kicks off this weekend

HUNDREDS of Aberdeen youngsters will score a success during the First Football Tournament which is coming to Strikers Indoor Football from this weekend.

The 14-week tournament, in association with Bank of Scotland Midnight Leagues, will see almost 500 Aberdeen secondary age youngsters in dozens of teams, battle it out for top place in a national event.

The scheme, which was originally designed to help reduce incidents of vandalism by giving youngsters something positive to focus on, has been a huge success since it was launched several years ago.

It was also a winning factor in First Aberdeen’s success at last years Scottish Transport Awards where the Company collected a coveted accolade for its community partnership work, which includes First Football.

From this Saturday, the event sees teams of eight players, aged between 13 and 16 will kick off a four-month season of league tables.

The eventual winners go forward to the national final, organised by the Scottish Football Association and backed by Bank of Scotland. This will be held in late 2008 with Pittodrie, home of Aberdeen Football Club as a potential venue.

Aberdeen’s leading bus company First, has once again teamed up with other partners including Aberdeen City Council, Grampian Police, Aberdeen Football Club and Strikers Indoor Football to offer local youngsters the chance to take part in this top quality tournament.

Aberdeen’s Staff Manager and Chairman of the First Football committee, Alan Cheyne said: “Once again, we were delighted to be able to support this great local event, which is aimed at giving kids something positive to take part in during the winter months.

“The scheme has gone from strength to strength in recent years and is definitely delivering its original goal of reducing incidents of vandalism and youth disturbance calls, therefore benefiting all in the community.

“For the last four years First Aberdeen has been the main sponsor, providing free travel to and from events for the whole tournament, as well as putting two trophies up for grabs.”

"Our big challenge is to provide transport for the teams involved in the event. We have to make sure everyone arrives on time and gets home safely at the end of every Saturday night session. Working closely with our partners Aberdeen Football Club, Grampian Police and Strikers) First provided free, dedicated transport for all teams involved for the duration of the tournament.

“First in Aberdeen will be keeping our fingers crossed that the winning teams can again go forward to the Regional Finals and retain their status as Regional Champions.

Grampian Police Inspector Alan Keith from the Aberdeen Division Antisocial Behaviour Unit said:

"Grampian Police is delighted to be involved with partners in First Football again this year.

“Analysis shows that last year (2007) there was a significant reduction in youth calls in the catchment areas while First Football was taking place.

“This along with other initiatives such as the 'Early Intervention Scheme' and proactive operations by the Neighbourhood Proactive Unit and Neighbourhood Officers, has had a positive impact in our communities."