Over 180 young people from the south-east took part in a regional qualifier of the Kickz Cup 2010 hosted by Saints in the Community.
The Southampton qualifier was just one of a national series of football tournaments which culminates in finals on the pitches at Old Trafford in Manchester and Pride Park in Derby.
Kickz Southampton - is based in the Herefield district of the City with the project part funded by the Premier League, the Metropolitan Police, The Football Foundation and The FA. The project uses the power of football and appeal of professional football clubs to engage young people who may otherwise be difficult to reach, offering activities such as street dance, DJ-ing as well as football three nights week, all year round.
The tournament was a platform to promote the Government campaign, "Why let drink decide" to educate young people on the dangers of alcohol.
Held at the Football Foundation-funded Wide Lane Sports Complex in Southampton, teams of Under 14, 16 and 18 from Southampton, Portsmouth, Brighton and Plymouth Kickz all took part.
On the day, Portsmouth won the Under 14s category, Southampton the Under 16s and Brighton the Under 18s. A 'Fair Play' and 'Player of the Tournament' award for each age group were also handed out.
Saints acquitted themselves very well with the Under 16 team progressing through to the next round as winners, but later went out in a keenly contested event at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Southampton Councillor Elizabeth Mizon was in attendance where she gave her backing to the initiative: "We need to get young people engaged in purposeful activities and this is what I have seen here today," she said.
"Kickz is a great way to engage with young people and all of those I have met today are all really positive, polite and having a good time. They are really involved in what they are doing and had a real sense of engagement with their coaches.
"Southampton Football Club is so much part of the City here and it's a real incentive for the young people to be involved with the tournament here today.
"In my time as Mayor I have met a lot of 'solutions people' - people that are making things better in the community - and the people involved with this Kickz tournament today are a perfect example of that."
 The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Southampton Councillor Elizabeth Mizon was in attendance at the event |
Jazz Bhatti, Kickz Co-coordinator at Saints in the Community added: "We're all absolutely delighted with the response we've had from everyone involved today and everyone has contributed at a high level.
"The Mayor was impressed with the numbers we had here and the numbers engaged with the larger programme we run.
"There were some outstanding individual displays here but overall what came through was the spirit of Fair Play - the tournament was played in a great spirit by all."
For further information on the Kickz programme in Southampton, please contact Saints in the Community on 0845 6889370.
