Bubble balls help youngsters blow off steam

Thursday 12 June 2014

As England’s football team prepare to battle the heat of Brazil Jersey teenagers have been having their own footballing challenges – playing the game inside giant zorb balls.

Bubble ball is one of a number of new sports dozens of teenagers have been turning up to play at the Friday night leagues in the Millennium Park.

They are organized by the Community and School Sports department who want to engage young Islanders in sport and give them something to do at the weekend rather than hanging around town causing trouble.

This year police officers have been volunteering on a Friday night, helping to referee games, organising teams and entering their own in the football league.

Community development officer for sport Paul Brannan said: “Having officers from SOJ Police volunteering and participating at our projects has been excellent in providing the opportunity for young people and the police to get to know each other in a positive way and break down any barriers that may exist."

Inspector Mark Coxshall said: "The States of Jersey Police are delighted to be involved with the great work led by the Community Sports Development Team. Police volunteers are able to join in sporting activities, taking the opportunity to make ourselves more approachable, whilst engaging and interacting with young people. The joint working is proving a real success and has brought a different perspective to our efforts to better overall Community Engagement."

As well as bubble ball, teenagers can go trampolining, play volleyball and football and even play a round of ‘Street Golf’.

The sports sessions started up in 2006 and Police statistics show there has been a 70% drop in calls to police about youth incidents since then.

Teenagers can go along and try out the sports in the Millennium Park on Friday nights from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.