Mobile pitch takes sport to teenagers

The YMCA's Street Outreach Project will bring a portable sports arena to areas of the city where young people are unable to play sport. The pitch can be set up in 30 minutes in any open space, including car parks and grassy areas.

The aim is for the games organised by youth workers and volunteers to provide a well-structured environment for young people to socialise and engage in meaningful team sports under fair-play rules.

The site will be a permanent weekly fixture in Aberdeen and was established to tackle an increase in vandalism and antisocial behaviour.

The scheme has cost more than £50,000 to set up and was paid for by grants from Sport Relief, YouthLink Scotland and The Robertson Trust.

Mike Will, executive chairman of Aberdeen YMCA, said the youth charity wanted to bring sports to the city's young people, rather than the other way round.