CANVEY Island FC have launched a new grass-roots football scheme for youngsters in the community – aiming to get children more active and playing the beautiful game.

‘Mini Gulls’, as the scheme is known, will see boys and girls in Years One, Two and Three at primary school take to the pitch, and they will be awarded a badge every time they learn a new skill.

All the children will be given a free training shirt for the development programme, and one of the club’s directors Mick O’Brien says it has been an immediate hit.

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“We had a good turn-out on Saturday,” said O’Brien. “We must have had about 30 people playing and it is great to see children so active.

“You don’t have to be a good footballer. This is an all-inclusive programme and we would love to see people of all ability levels.

“Although if we uncover the next star of the future then that is obviously great news too!”

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The little ones are put through their paces

Run in partnership with Creative Sport and Leisure, the sessions will be led by apprentices of Prospects College, who will tutor the youngsters as part of their course and earn their coaching badges in turn.

Sessions cost £1 every Saturday and are at Prospects College, in Meppel Avenue, from 10am.

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The community day at Park Lane also gave young sides from across the borough the chance to test their skills against the Canvey Island Youth team.

“The games went very well indeed,” said O’Brien, who is also part of the youth club senior management team. “It is not often these sides get to play in a stadium on such a fantastic pitch and we are pleased they all enjoyed their time here.”

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An apprentice leads one of the sessions