A FOOTBALL tournament is due to be held this weekend to mark the end of a young people’s leadership course.

Eighteen Basildon youngsters will take part in Sunday’s event, in Wickford Memorial Park, after completing a six-week project.

The youngsters have been learning football leadership skills at sessions organised by Basildon Council, Essex Football Association and Wickford Town Football Club.

At the end of the course they were given six weeks to organise a tournament of their own and this will come to fruition on Sunday from 9.30am, Sean Harris, from the Essex Football Association, said:“The project has been a success so far.

“Now the young people have to go away and complete four hours of volunteering to complete the course. The course involves organising and managing a football session, an introduction to refereeing, helping with a team and different football events.

“They will be using this knowledge at the festival they are organising and then we hope they will continue to use it.

“I would like to say a big thank you toWickfordTown for its part.”

The tournament is likely to be the first of many sporting events to be held in the park.

Kevin Blake, deputy leader of Basildon Council and councillor responsible for leisure and arts, said: “The idea is to get things moving in Wickford Memorial Park, as part of the renewal programme which will involve the restoration of the main pavilion.

“This festival will be the first of a number of events to promote greater community use of the park and its facilities.”