Media centre

Monday 17 Jul 2006

PHOTOCALL: NO MESSIN’ CAMPAIGN SET TO GET PLYMOUTH KIDS ON THE RIGHT TRACKS

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Date: Thursday 20 July Time: 10am – 2pm Location: Plymouth Argyle FC, Home Park, Plymouth, PL2 3DQ Event: More than 100 young people aged 11-15 from Stoke Damerel Community College will be taking part in a variety of activities at the No Messin’ Live! fun day. They will have the opportunity to try out penalty shoot outs, a speed cage, a climbing wall, British Wrestling Association coaching and a surf simulator Media Contact: Kirsty Anderson, Network Rail – 07717 737231

Journalists and photographers are invited to an event that will see Network Rail and Plymouth Argyle join forces to offer teenagers in the Plymouth area ‘twilight’ football coaching throughout the summer. The No Messin’ Live! fun day will be held at Argyle’s Home Park ground on Thursday 20 June for children from Stoke Dameral Community College. No Messin’! is a campaign by Network Rail, which educates young people about the dangers of playing on the railway, and offers them alternative activities, such as sport, gaming and music. Last year, almost 50 people were killed and hundreds more were injured either crossing the tracks, taking short cuts, messing around or playing chicken Roy Hamlin, Network Rail’s General Manager for the West Country, said: “Unfortunately, in the past six months, a third of reported railway crime incidents in the Plymouth area have involved young people – from trespassing, throwing stones at trains to placing objects on the line – all of which could end in serious consequences.” “Many young people who play on the railway do so because they think they’ve got nothing else to do. Network Rail is committed to preventing pointless tragedies by giving these young people alternative ways of spending their time.  We are very pleased  Plymouth Argyle FC is joining us in this endeavour.” Argyle Football in the Community manager Mark Rivers said: “We’re delighted to be teaming up with Network Rail to bring this exciting project to the children of Plymouth. “Argyle is committed to anything that helps youngsters in the community stay on the right track.” Network Rail has provided £8,500 to fund portable flood lights, bibs and coaching staff so that Argyle can visit key hotspot areas in Plymouth to coach teenagers’ football and promote positive activities in the summer evenings. Those interested are encouraged to contact Argyle's Football in the Community team or look out for posters at their local leisure centres.