A TWICE-weekly sports club has been started in Jericho for teenagers.

Funding of £4,050 was secured for the scheme, which started on Thursday and will run until the Autumn, by the Jericho Community Association.

Organiser and project leader Maggie O’Sullivan said: “We will be focussing on football for young men and fitness sessions for young women, after a consultation we did showed those were the most popular options.”

The course will run on Wednesdays and Thursdays, she said.

“The whole idea behind it is to encourage young people aged 14 and over to incorporate sport into their daily routines.

“To do that we will also be offering information, as well as other things like how to eat healthily.

“We also hope it will lead to them joining other clubs.”

Ms O’Sullivan said she had also received help from ward city councillor Susanna Pressel, as well as neighbourhood police Sergeant Gordon Kille. Money to run the summer course was provided by Oxford City Council’s youth ambition fund.

Sgt Kille said he and colleagues at Thames Valley Police were helping to provide football equipment and coaching, which he has been doing for seven years.

He said: “I have been trying to help get things off the ground and we will be encouraging young people in the area to take part. We hope it will be a benefit to the community and will support the project in any way we can.

“I used some of my contacts in footballing to bring in the coaching staff and because I am new to the job, I started four months ago, it is a good way to learn more about Jericho.”

Ms Pressel said: “Young people deserve to have something provided for them. I hope they will go along and have a great time.

“We’re lucky to have an experienced and energetic youth leader in charge and some very welcome help from other local people.”

The sports sessions will take place on the sports field next to St Barnabas School at 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

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