A new community sport programme is launching across Kent, with free events and activities designed to reduce anti-social behaviour and to help young people stay safe around the railway this summer.
The project is being delivered by Sports Connect and funded through a £48,000 grant from Southeastern. Throughout the summer holidays and beyond, it will provide a series of weekly sports sessions, summer tournaments, rail safety competitions, and mentoring opportunities rolled out across the county.
The programme kicks off in August, when young people in Margate, Dover, Sandwich, Canterbury and Herne Bay will be invited to attend Arena Masters events—free community sports sessions featuring large-scale football games and activities near their local stations.
Rail safety is a key part of the project. Across Kent, school pupils will take part in workshops highlighting the risks of going onto the railway and take part in a Train Safety Competition, combining practical rail safety learning with sport.
For those wanting to take things further, a free Sports Activator Level 1 qualification will be offered in each district. The one-day course helps young people aged 14+ learn leadership and coaching skills, with the chance to join the project’s workforce or use the qualification for future employment.
Damian Testa, Head of Public Affairs at Southeastern Railway, said:
“Sports Connect is a fantastic organisation dedicated to using sport to empower young people to get on the right track, and we are proud to partner with them for this summer programme.”
Lisa Sparkes, Head of Community Engagement and Health at Sports Connect, said:
“Sports Connect are proud to be working with Southeastern to engage with young people in and around the identified communities, to help offer an opportunity to be safe and active, as well as share the importance of being safe around the stations and railways.
“We look forward to working with local schools and partners as we start to kick off this exciting new project."
Sports Connect is a registered NCFE and 1st4Sport Approved Centre as well as a Kent FA Licensed Football Provider. It aims to use the power of sport to inspire, motivate and educate people to build a better life for themselves and unite the communities in which they live.
It is one of 11 charities, organisations, and community groups across Kent, Sussex and south-east London benefiting from the Customer and Community Improvement Fund.
The funding will support a diverse range of initiatives, from specialist training to help disabled adults travel independently to trauma-informed support for domestic abuse survivors and mentoring programmes for young people at risk.
Now in its second year, the CCIF was established to support projects that deliver social value, reduce inequality, and ensure the railway plays a meaningful role in the communities it serves.
Anyone wishing for more information or who would like a chance for Sports Connect to come in to deliver a free workshop, please contact: communityinfo@sportsconnect.uk.
