SPORTS DONATION ENCOURAGES FIT KIDS

August 10 2006

Adolescent obesity is becoming a headline of the past in South Birmingham as teenagers from the Woodlands Youth Club in Bournville take to the football fields, courtesy of 'Barclays Spaces for Sports'.

The eight to twelve years old youngsters have received a donation of sports equipment, which includes bibs, water bottles and whistles. The £500 grant will mean the youth club members can spend the summer holidays taking full advantage of the good weather and the sports pitch in Woodlands Park Road.

The Woodlands Youth Club is run by Bournville Village Trust Community Department for local youngsters who meet in the area every week on a Thursday. A variety of activities are arranged for the girls and boys, which include visits to places of interest, providing a voluntary service for the local community and competing in a range of sports.

Rebecca Debenham of Bournville Village Trust Community Department, who runs the Woodlands Youth Scheme said: "The new equipment will encourage the children's interest in sport and lead them to greater success when they play against other teams."

The donation is part of the £30 million grassroots sports programme, Barclays Spaces for Sports. 1,200 packs are awarded each year from the three year scheme.