LIVINGSTON FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT AIMS TO KICK RAIL CRIME INTO TOUCH
Friday May 01, 2009
Youth football teams from across West Lothian and North Lanarkshire are linking up to take part in a community tournament to highlight the importance of rail safety, ahead of the opening of the new £300m Airdrie-Bathgate Rail link next year.
Held at Livingston Football Club’s Almondvale Stadium on the 17th May, No Messin’ is a Network Rail sponsored event, featuring 16 Under 9 and Under 10 teams from towns along the Airdrie-Bathgate route.
Throughout the day, the teams involved will play four games with each club taking home a trophy for their participation. Teams will also have the chance to pick up some tips from top freestyler, Colin Nell, who will be on hand to demonstrate his impressive football skills.
Designed to discourage young people from playing near railway tracks, the event also highlights other, more positive activities that young people can get involved in.
With work well underway on the £300m Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link, including electrification of the track, Network Rail is taking the opportunity to proactively educate youngsters about the real dangers of playing near rail tracks.
Mark Henderson, Network Rail’s community safety manager for Scotland commented: “Not all young people recognise the very real dangers of playing near a railway. What can sometimes be viewed as fun and exciting can ultimately end in tragedy. Many children cite boredom as the main reason for committing crimes near railways, endangering their own lives and the lives of others. We hope this No Messin’ event will show them that there are other, safer and more fun ways to occupy their time, especially with the summer holidays fast approaching.
“The event is also about highlighting to local people the benefits of the new Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link. Ultimately, we are linking communities along the line of the route with two of Scotland’s major cities and beyond.”
Leigh Robertson from Livingston Football Club said: “The tournament continually proves to be popular with kids and this year will be no different. Livingston FC is proud to be involved in conveying such an important message to young people and their parents.
“Although the day does have a serious message, it’s also about having fun and allowing the teams to get together and have a good time.”
The event will pave the way for the No Messin’ Live event on the 22 July, at the Inveralmond Community High School, which will feature a whole host of exciting activities, including a Game Zone, DJ mixing, boxing, wrestling, dance, street soccer, art wall, Creative Creatures motion animation, skate park, TV and music and lots more.