Middlesbrough Football Club (MFC) Foundation launched Kicks in 2006, which is a national initiative funded by the Premier League.
It uses football and the brand of a professional football club to engage 8 to 18 year olds in deprived areas. The PCC has previously awarded funding towards the programme.
MFC Foundation has requested funding to continue the delivery of the Kicks Programme in Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland.
Many of the young people who attend are at risk of offending, or are known offenders. The benefits of the deliverables are expected to include a reduction in youth crime and antisocial behaviour in the targeted areas, and an increase in community cohesion. The Kicks Programme supports the PCC’s objectives of Tackling Re-offending, Working together to make Cleveland Safer and Securing the Future of our Communities.