The successful KICKz comes to the London Borough of Barnet under the umbrella of Barnet FC

Young people in the Underhill Area are the latest to benefit from the highly successful 'Kickz' football programme. Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently joined forces with the Metropolitan Police, the Football Foundation, the Premier League and the Departmentfor Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to announce a significant expansion of the programme ... and young people in the Underhill area are the latest to benefit.

Kickz deals with issues such as healthy life styles and the current headline issues of the dangers of getting involved in drugs and carrying weapons. It also aims to break down barriers between young people and local police officers.

Thanks to multi-million pound investment from the Football Foundation and the Metropolitan Police, 64 Kickz projects will be delivered across the capital, with two in every London borough.

Kickz offers 12-18 year olds the chance to take part in positive activity three nights a week, 48 weeks of the year. The programme aims to 'build safer, stronger communities through the development of young peoples' potential'.

A local partnership including Barnet FC, through their Football in Community scheme, Underhill Junior School, theBorough ofBarnet, Underhill and surrounding Safer Neighbourhood Teams will support the development of Kickz, which also gives young people the chance to volunteer and give something back to their community.

In addition to football coaching and competition, Kickz offers a range of other positive activities including other sports such as basketball and street dance, as well as music and arts workshops.

Janet Matthewson, the Barnet FC Football in the Community in the Community manager, said:- "This is excellent news for the Barnet community.Kickz has proven to be a huge success in offering opportunities to youngsters.

"Boredom can breed anti-social behaviour, thus opening pathways to crime.By engaging youth and offering them an alternative we believe that we can make a difference in our own back yard.

"It is a great way for Barnet FC to really make a difference. We are hoping to create a stronger, safer community. I am delighted to be working so closely with Underhill School, the council and the police.Only by working together can great things be achieved".

Dennis Signy