Young people from 22 schools in Liverpool and Knowsley are teaming up to take part in an anti-guncrime seven-a-side football tournament organised by Merseyside Police.
The Matrix Challenge Shield is part of an anti-guncrime initiative put together by the Force's specialist Matrix team.
The football tournament - supported by Liverpool City Council, Knowsley Borough Council, Liverpool County FA, Merseyside County Schools FA, Liverpool Schools FA, Liverpool Football Club, Everton Football Club, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Merseytravel, Liverpool Active City and Rhys Jones Memorial Cup Trust - will kick off on Thursday 18 March, when 15 teams of boys will battle it out on the pitch in a bid to become the winners of this prestigious trophy. This will be followed on Friday 19 March, when 12 girls teams will be taking part in the tournament.
The contest will involve 350 children, aged between 11 and 13 years , and the games will take place at the Soccer Centre on Walton Hall Avenue. The three group winners and the best overall runner up on each day will qualify for the semi-finals and final to be played on 21 May at Everton Football Club. All the children who take part in the tournament will receive participation medals and the Challenge Shield and individual trophies will be awarded in May.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Doherty, who heads up the specialist Matrix team, explained: "We held this tournament for the first time in March last year and it was a resounding success and was supported by 350 young people who really enjoyed the event.
"Due to the success of last year's event all the partner's involved decided that it would be great to carry it on.
"The tournament is part of a wider campaign aimed at educating young people about the consequences of becoming involved in gun and gang crime.
"We in the Matrix want to work more closely with young people who live and go to school in areas that have been blighted by the problems caused by gun crime and criminal gang activity. I believe sport, and football in particular provides us with a common interest that we can take part in together with young people, their families and the local community.
“Achievement, whether it be in the sporting or educational arena, brings people together, it builds relationships and it let’s young people see what can be achieved by effort and positive relationships. I want to see a more positive relationship between young people and the Matrix, and that people become more aware of what we are trying to achieve in ensuring young people have a choice in their future.
He continued: "It should be remembered that the majority of teenagers are not involved in criminality, or guns and gangs. The wider the audience we get this message across to the more likely we are to prevent some young people from becoming involved. Young people do talk to each other and hopefully the good sense of some will transfer to others who may be more easily led."
Steve Swinnerton, Football Development Officer for Liverpool City Council said:” Liverpool City Council fully supports this initiative and the ethos of encouraging young people to 'join a team not a gang'. We want to encourage more young people to take up sport, and whilst this tournament is football specific the council also offers lots of other opportunities for young people to become active. Liverpool is an 'Active City' and 2010 is the year of health and wellbeing; the council has provided the participants with fruit and water for the duration of the tournament and will be providing advice on healthy eating at the Soccer Centre."
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