PCSP cage tournament ‘a massive success’

A total of 35 teams from the four councils making up the new Causeway Coast & Glens District Council took part in the event.

Ballymoney Policing and Community Safety Partnership took a lead role in Friday’s event in the town, working in partnership with the three other Policing and Community Safety Partnerships from Limavady, Coleraine and Moyle.

Friday evening’s indoor competition used cages from the three local council areas and was facilitated in the main hall of The Joey Dunlop Centre in Ballymoney.

The portable sports arena offers young people from across the Causeway Coast and Glens region an opportunity to participate in soccer, volleyball and basketball, played in the enclosed arena of the cage.

They have been successfully used in diversion and community/youth projects across the Causeway Coast and Glens region throughout the past two years , as was highlighted by organisers following the successful event in Ballymoney last week.

Ballymoney PCSP manager Michael McCafferty said: “The Policing and Community Safety Partnership cage project aims to deliver diversionary sporting activities to prevent young people from acting in an anti-social manner.

“It is an exciting and innovative way of engaging with local youth.

“In 2013, the regional Battle on the Beach tournament took place at Benone Strand, Limavady, and we felt that it was time to bring young people from different areas together again.

“Teams were all provided with playing jerseys, and the colour depended on which council area they were representing.

“A Ballymoney team took the title but the main aim was to bring young people together in a controlled environment to socialise, make new friends and have fun.

“The event was a massive success and I would like to thank all of the players for taking part during the evening, and all those involved in the setting up of the cages and management of the games throughout the event in Ballymoney.”

If you would like more information on the Policing and Community Safety Partnership cage soccer project, you can contact Michael McCafferty on either telephone: 028 2766 0254 or you can email: [email protected].