Younger generation praised at opening of sports complex

Dr John Sentamu launched his defence at the opening of the new Poppleton Tigers Juniors FC clubhouse at Millfield Lane, Nether Poppleton, near York, which will boast four changing rooms, with meeting and training facilities, as well as officials’ changing rooms, a kitchen and toilets, largely funded by grants and community fundraising activities.

“Anyone reading the newspapers in recent weeks would be forgiven for thinking young people are nothing but trouble,” the Archbishop said.

“But we know the great majority of young people are not troublemakers, they are hard-working, committed to their local communities and to making a difference.

“We need every one of our children to develop their talents and their skills, so they can solve the most difficult problems.

“You take a five-year-old who has been shown how a computer works and they get in there far quicker than any of us – it’s that kind of brain that we really want to help develop.

“The training and discipline for this beautiful game is a great preparation for life as well as the enjoyment itself.

“Looking after one another, working as a team, playing to each other’s strengths, supporting and encouraging.

“This new pavilion is a marvellous tribute to the work that has gone on to raise money and it is thanks to the efforts of the club and the generosity of the donors.”

The project was funded with the help of a £225,000 grant from the Football Foundation, the nation’s largest sports charity which is funded by the Premier League, The FA and the Government. An additional £150,000 came from The FA’s Whole Sport Plan agreed with Sport England.

Tigers’ club secretary Val Duggan said: “These new facilities are the culmination of a lot of hard work over the past three years by a lot of dedicated and enthusiastic people.

“On behalf of everyone associated with Poppleton JFC I would like to extend my thanks to the Football Foundation and all our funders who have made this a reality.”