Saints » Community

St.Helens Council has been successful in attracting funding for an exciting new project in partnership with Saints’ rugby league club.

The national “Playing for Success” initiative is part of a package of measures to increase ‘out of school hours’ study provision. The Council’s Children and Young People’s Department have been working with Saints’ on the successful bid which will see £50,000 a year for 10 years to contribute towards an after school study centre at the club.

Funding is from the Department for Children, Families and Schools under the Playing for Success programme which aims to raise, literacy, numeracy and technology standards for underachieving children aged mainly between nine and 14. Other targets will include motivating pupils to learn, raising their self - esteem and re-engaging them in education and offering a supportive environment to enhance study skills.

The Council has been able to build on its already successful partnership with St Helens Rugby league Football Club and together have previously developed a range of projects aimed at addressing disaffected young people and the lack of physical activity resulting in poor health.

An after school study centre will be based at Saints Knowsley Road ground. It is intended that the refurbishment of the current Saints stadium to enable the development of the After School study centre will commence shortly with young people accessing the facility from early Spring 2008.

Says Councillor Shirley Evans, Executive Member for Children and Young People said: “'Playing for success is a great scheme as students can visit their favourite sporting venues and be motivated and helped to improve their literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.

Sports men and women engage pupils and offer positive role models to encourage the young people to aim high. We are very proud of Saints in St. Helens and I know that we shall be very proud of all the young people who will benefit from this tremendous scheme.”

Community

Council in funding partnership with Saints

Main Sponsor

Grand Final

Saints Money

Kitback

Primary Partners

Stadium Partner