Hartlepool United Community Sports Foundation teamed up with the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver free daily football sessions during the February half-term period.
More than 30 participants, aged 12 to 16, attended the sessions at Brierton Sports Centre every day across the week.
Sessions aimed to engage teenagers and teach them new skills, while giving them a positive focus during the holidays and preventing anti-social behaviour.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner paid a special visit to the course alongside Hartlepool United players Pete Jameson and David Ferguson.
Hartlepool United Community Sports Foundation Manager, Keith Nobbs, commented:
"We've had an excellent time at our football sessions this week. A huge thanks to the PCC, whose funding has enabled us to run these sessions and enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of young people in the area.
"We've been able to provide a safe and positive environment for teenagers to enjoy football and learn new skills, making new friends in the process.
"It helps us to build a stronger, safer and more inclusive community environment which reduces anti-social behaviour during the school holiday period."
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner said:
“It’s great to see teenagers engaged in sport and focused on positive activity like football.
“It broadens their horizons and gives them the drive to seek out more productive activities longer-term, keeping them off the streets and away from the boredom and bad influences which lead to anti-social behaviour.”
Hartlepool United Community Sports Foundation received £3,575 from the PCC’s Spring Activity Fund to run a week’s worth of football sessions in the half-term and Easter holidays. It was just one of 22 organisations to share in £63,060-worth of funding.
Keep an eye out for more sessions in the Easter holiday period, from April 8 to 12 at Brierton Sports Centre.