Blowing the whistle on gun crime

Merseyside police are teaming up with young people from Liverpool and Knowsley to take part in a seven-a-side football tournament aimed at tackling gun crime.

The ‘Matrix Challenge Shield’ forms part of a wider anti-gun crime campaign, and will see youths from 22 schools across the region get their boots on and take to the pitch with the forces’ special Matrix Team. The event is being supported by a wide range of organisations including Liverpool County FA, the Rhys Jones Memorial Cup Trust, and both Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs.

This will be only the second time that the tournament has been hosted, with last years event proving a great success. Over 350 children aged between 11 and 13 will be taking part in the tournament which will be held over the coming month, with the semi-finals and finals being held at Everton Football Club on May 21st.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Doherty, who heads up the specialist Matrix team, said: “We in the Matrix want to work more closely with young people who live and go to school in areas that have been blighted by the problems caused by gun crime and criminal gang activity. I believe sport, and football in particular, provides us with a common interest that we can take part in together with young people, their families and the local community.”

“Due to the success of last year's event all the partner's involved decided that it would be great to carry it on. I want to see a more positive relationship between young people and the Matrix, and that people become more aware of what we are trying to achieve in ensuring young people have a choice in their future.”

The tournament is also being backed by Liverpool Council who have tied the tournament in with the City’s ‘year of health and wellbeing’. Steve Swinnerton, Football Development Officer for Liverpool City Council said: "Liverpool City Council fully supports this initiative and the ethos of encouraging young people to 'join a team not a gang'.”

“Liverpool is an 'Active City' and 2010 is the year of health and wellbeing; the council has provided the participants with fruit and water for the duration of the tournament and will be providing advice on healthy eating at the Soccer Centre."

All of the children taking part in the tournament will receive a medal for their participation, as well as the Matrix Challenge Shield; the winners of the tournament will be handed the prestigious trophy in May.