Barnet Football in the Community took another trip to Wembley on Thursday.

Following their trip to the stadium in August with the Kickz teenagers to watch England v Czech Republic, this time it was the coaches, young people and those up for awards who were guests in the Bobby Moore Suite for the first annual Kickz Award Ceremony and reward for their hard work in growing the project.

The evening, hosted by BBC presenter Ray Stubbs and including presentation of awards by ex- England international Les Ferdinand and Spurs striker Giovani Dos Santos, was a chance to recognise the work of coaches, volunteers, the Police Forces and, most importantly, the teenagers themselves.

The evening also allowed teenagers from schemes up and down the country to showcase some of their talents, a wide array of performances including ball juggling, kick boxing and street dance entertained the 400 strong audience, which included many senior figures for the schemes supporting partners including the Police, the Football Trust, the Premier League and supporting council figures.

In the past year, nationally, Kickz has now reached over 18,000 young people; these awards were given to key figures and groups who had given so much to help. Awards included recognition to local policemen and council figures who had devoted much time and effort into the projects, key coaches who had helped grow schemes to offer a wide range of football and non-- football related activities to make Kickz appeal to all youngsters, and also to many of the excellent participants who had taken on projects such as Launching their own CD, hosting regional football tournaments against other Kickz projects and raising money for a local child in need of a wheelchair.

The countless volunteers were also awarded, with one from each club being recognised for the time and effort they put into the scheme. BFCSA Chairman Peter Williamson, who helps out on a Friday evening,was thanked by Les Ferdinand and told to "keep up the good work".

Peter says:"Often the media and society portrays a bad image of our youngsters, but a project like this engages teenagers, offering them something to do in the evening and gives them the chance to express themselves and develop their potential.

" Kickz and similar schemes should be praised and must be an integral part of our community. The recognition shown to me this evening is really for all the coaches, volunteers and the kids themselves who have helped grow the Barnet project from four kids a year ago on one night, to between 30-50 per session, three times a week".

As Kickz enters its second year in Barnet, plans are being put in place to offer boxing, cheerleading, circuit training and mini moto's. Janet Matthewson, head of FitC, says " We are also looking at using Kickz as a vehicle to drive forward a project on the dangers of knife crime".

Kickz in Barnet currently offers street dance on Monday and football training/games on Wednesday and Friday at Underhill School, Mays Lane, for all young people between the ages of 12-18 years old and is free.

FitC is always looking for more volunteers to help expand the programme in Barnet and help offer the alternative activities, so whether it be football coaching or another skill that you feel you could pass on to the teenagers contact the Football in the Community department on 0208 449 6932 ex 215/212 or email jmatthewson@barnetfc.com see http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/our-schemes/kickz/

Janet Matthewson