Art meets sport to get kids on board

Street Sport, a community youth diversion initiative in Aberdeen, has added another string to its youngster-drawing bow by incorporating street art into its mobile pitches.

The initiative, coordinated by Robert Gordon University in collaboration with Grampian Police, came into play three years ago and takes sport to young people, within their own communities, promoting healthier lifestyles and alternatives to alcohol, drugs and antisocial behaviour. It gives young people the opportunity to channel their energies into sports in a structured and safe manner, and the versatile pitches can be set up on any sizeable area of tarmac or grass with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers.

Sponsorship from leading North Sea oil and gas operator Talisman Energy (UK) Limited for the second year running allowed Street Sport to purchase a second pitch, and so expand the programme, last year. Now with the addition of street art boards, which hang from the sides of the pitches, organisers hope to encourage those who go along to the sessions who aren't interested in sport to engage creatively instead.

Julene Craigen (26), a Street Sport volunteer from MacDuff, graduated with a degree in Design for Digital Media from Gray's School of Art at the University last year. She came up with the idea for street art and has also played a key part in revamping the Street Sport website.

As part of her final year design project, Julene explored how our modern society and the age of 'digital citizens' has contributed to diminishing values, and she has come to the conclusion that promoting design and creativity has the potential to reshape lost morals. The idea of offering street art as part of Street Sport came to Julene during a trip to Germany where she saw kids using black boards. Darren Leslie, Street Sport's Development Officer, helped her to develop this idea to the hanging boards which are now featured as part of the sports sessions.

Julene has redeveloped the website to be more user-focused and geared towards the young people who used Street Sport. She explained: "Promoting a positive outlook and attitude among young people is an important role in tackling antisocial behaviour across the board. I think Street Sport is a great initiative and it's important we tune in with the young people who use the service to find out what's important to them so that the provision can build on its success."

Street Sport Development Officer, Darren Leslie, added: "Street Sport came into play to address the high levels of antisocial behaviour, and subsequent youth annoyance calls to the police, apparent in particular areas. Since the launch of Street Sport, over 6000 young people have made use of the facility, which in turn has reduced levels of antisocial behaviour and youth annoyance. We are delighted to be developing the initiative with the addition of the blackboards and through the website that Julene has done some fantastic work on."

Speaking on behalf of Grampian Police, Sergeant Hamish King from Aberdeen Division's Anti-social Behaviour Unit, said: "Street football and other similar projects help Grampian Police and our partners tackle anti-social behaviour. We enjoy working together with Robert Gordon University in aiming towards improving the quality of life in our communities."