The match brought together those who take part in City In The Community’s Kickz project in Fallowfield and East Manchester, and those in the City Sixes scheme in Tameside – both supported and funded by the Football Foundation.
CITC’s Executive Manager Alex Williams said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for the young people to play on the pitch at the stadium and we are very grateful to the club for allowing us to do so.
“The City Sixes and Kickz projects are about giving young people more opportunities – playing at a Premier League stadium is something they will never forget.”
City Sixes has been running since September 2007 and aims to engage young people in healthy physical activity and provide a diversion from becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.
Every week up to 50 youngsters between the ages of 11 and 16 take part in free football sessions in Hattersley and Ashton on Friday evening as part of the Football Foundation-funded City Sixes project.
Manchester City has been involved in Kickz since August 2006, running sessions for 13-18 year olds on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at the Platt Lane Leisure Complex in Fallowfield. Up to 200 young people a week have the opportunity to play football, work out in the gym, take part in MCing and DJing workshops, and complete qualifications.
And in June 2007 CITC launched its second Kickz project based at the Barclays Spaces for Sport, Sporting Edge sports centre in Openshaw with funding from Connexions, Manchester.
The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grassroots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, and developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country.
Funded by the Premier League, the Football Association, Sport England and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation’s largest sporting charity.
For more information about City Sixes and Kickz contact City in the Community on 0161 438 7711 or e-mail citc@mcfc.co.uk.
