160 young people from across the East Riding will compete in a Tribune Trust football tournament at the Gemtec Arena, Hull between 6pm and 9pm tonight.

Preliminary games have been played within the various communities supported by the Grass Roots Sports Project, Sport Not Drugs Programme and Futures Through Football project all in Hull, together with the Positive Futures initiative in the East Riding in Beverley, Bridlington, Goole and Withernsea.

The tournament was the idea of Carol Rymer, former High Sheriff of the East Riding and aims to involve more children in sport.

The Trust aims to improve the quality of life and create a positive image for difficult areas. By promoting sport as a healthy alternative to drugs and crime and, by providing access to facilities, crime in an area can be significantly reduced.

The successful Grass Roots Sports Programme is now well established and young people who have accessed it regularly are now trained coaches with a number having referee qualifications. Several of these will be officiating in the tournament.

Every player will receive a Tribune Trust Tournament medal for competing. Awards will also be given out for fair play, runners up and the winning team. The trustees who are current, former or future High Sheriffs of the East Riding of Yorkshire will present the trophies.

Geoff Ogden, director of the Trust said: “We hear so much about anti-social behaviour and exclusion. These events demonstrate that given the chance young people want to compete in sport and not cause problems in their neighbourhoods.”

There will be photo opportunities at the Gemtec Arena throughout the evening from
6pm to 9pm.

For more information about the Tribune Trust ring Geoff Ogden on (01482) 334833. or email ogden@hobson341.karoo.co.uk

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For further information please contact Laura Ridley on 01482 391444
Email: mailto:Laura%20Ridley@eastriding.gov.uk