A brand new football project helping young people across Surrey has been launched thanks to funding secured by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend.
The Surrey Football Association’s ‘Stepover’ programme will work with young people aged 12-18 across Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge and Woking, and is designed to help them build a brighter future.
It has been developed by the Serious Violence Reduction Partnership in Surrey and funding from the Home Office Serious Violence Programme Grant which is managed by the Commissioner’s office working alongside key partners in the county.
Build confidence
Over the coming months – the PCC is supporting a number of projects that use sport to make a difference to young people, helping to get them off their phones and develop their skills and confidence.
The pilot programme will use football to engage participants, build confidence and develop the skills they need both on and off the pitch.
Surrey Football Association will work in partnership with The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey to deliver the programme, creating opportunities for young people to take part in football while developing their social, emotional, communication and leadership skills.
The programme is built around the belief that football can be much more than a game. Through a series of football events and experiential learning, participants will be encouraged to develop positive behaviours, build confidence and strengthen the skills that can help them towards a brighter future.
Step Over will move young people away from pathways to antisocial behaviour and violence and will give young people positive adult role models. The programme will use sport as an engagement tool, a strategy identified as high impact by the Youth Endowment Fund.
Collaborative approach
The initiative will also bring together Surrey FA, Surrey Police, Adolescent Services, Children’s Safeguarding and the other members of the Surrey Serious Violence Reduction Partnership, creating a collaborative approach to supporting young people and helping them reach their potential.
The programme was officially launched at Meadowbank Stadium in Dorking, with a small-sided football tournament featuring, Surrey FA, Surrey County Council and the programme’s partners.
The Surrey-wide project will demonstrate how sport can create positive relationships, open new opportunities and provide young people with the confidence and skills to make positive choices.
Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “The Step Over project is designed to not only improve young people’s prowess on the pitch but more importantly to help them develop those vital life skills off it.
“Sport provides a vital opportunity for young people to learn about communication and leadership, helps build their confidence and encourages them have a positive impact in the community around them.
“That is why I am delighted to be able to provide funding for the Step Over programme and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it progresses over the coming months.”
Nick West-Oram, Surrey FA CEO said: “Football has an incredible ability to bring people together. Step Over is about using that power to give young people positive experiences, build their confidence and help them develop skills that will benefit them well beyond the football pitch.
“We want participants to feel that they have the opportunity to succeed, make positive choices and have people around them who believe in their potential.”
“The Step Over programme reflects a shared commitment to using football to deliver, educate and improve lives, creating lasting positive change for the young people and communities involved.”