Dewsbury Unity

Savile Youth and Thornhill working together
 
Over 100 young people attended a football festival in Dewsbury on Sunday.
 
Organised by the Communities United Project (CUP), the 6-a-side tournament  brought together footballers, parents and officials from Savile Youth JFC and Thornhill JFC for a great day of fun and getting to know each other. 
 
CUP Activities Development Officer, Paul Simpson (pictured above front centre) said...
"The event allowed young people to improve their football skills but more importantly it has provided them with the opportunity to meet and socialise with young people from other areas.  Communities United Project is aware of the importance of integration between different groups of young people and utilises sport as a way of achieving this.”
 
Thornhill Chairman Chris Kennedy said...
"Many clubs see similar local clubs as rivals.  We want to work together with other clubs to help and develop the youngsters"
 
League Secretary Eric Kershaw was delighted to see two RCD League Clubs taking the lead in building bridges between clubs and said...
"Many friendships will have been forged as a result of these two clubs working together.  Getting to know people helps to dispel the fears and myths that often exist  between people from different backgrounds"
 
Local Dewsbury Councillors Khizar Iqbal and Masood Ahmed presented the awards at the end of the day.
 
Cllr Khizar Iqbal (right), Cabinet member for Safer Communities and Community Cohesion has said  "I was pleased to see this event was so successful and particularly pleased it helps build cohesion and integration between these two communities."
 
Cllr Masood Ahmed (left) Said   "This was an excellent event, well attended by the young people from Savile Youth and Thornhill FC.   It was nice to see a range of people from all walks of life enjoying themselves through football, I'd like to see more and more of these types of events."