CHILDREN from Bradford will be given their first taste of rugby league through a new scheme from the police and district firms.
Bradford Bulls has teamed up with West Yorkshire Police to officially open the club’s 'Community Box' at their Odsal Stadium home.
The Community Box will be attended by 10 children each Bulls home game and hosted by the police. The spaces for the box will be filled by youngsters who would not normally get the chance to come and watch the Bulls in Betfred Championship action.
This community-based scheme brings together Bradford district businesses who have funded the community box where children and young people can come together to enjoy the matchday experience.
Smorgasbord Coffee Bar and International Restaurant have also contributed to this partnership.
The link-up also sees the police early help teams working with the Bradford Bulls on matchdays providing refreshments, support and safe environments following successful engagement with local support services.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Farrell, of Bradford District Police, said: “The initiative came as part of our wider commitment to neighbourhood policing in South Bradford, working closely with wider partnerships seeking to identify early intervention opportunities for children and young people preventing them getting involved with crime and anti-social behaviour.
“Through positive engagements with the on-track programme, young people are rewarded for taking part and they can now see how sport can provide positive lifestyle choices.
“I am grateful for the support or Arif and Safeer, local business owners who have provided the funding for this initiative and the continued engagement and willingness to deliver an effective partnership from Joe Pitts as commercial director and Tracy Erby as general manager.
“The partnership is continuing to flourish as we seek to build on this with the Bradford Bulls foundation working with the chief executive, Chris Chamberlain as part of the longer term community intervention work.”
Bradford South MP Judith Cummins said: “I would like to congratulate everybody for coming together, great to see a positive initiative with Bradford businesses, Bradford Bulls, West Yorkshire Police and Bradford police coming together to make a real difference investing in the future of young people, it is really positive.”
Chris Chamberlain, Bradford Bulls Foundation chief executive, said: “This is a massive opportunity that we really welcome, using sport as a tool to engage with young people to make a positive difference in Bradford.
“These partnerships are really welcome and we look forward to developing this moving forward.”
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