A world-first soccer program helps young offenders kick goals
Source: Queensland. Minister for Community Services . Media Release
"In a world-first, the Arsenal Soccer Schools program has taken its coaching and mentoring program behind bars at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre to help young offenders get their lives back on track. Community Services Minister Karen Struthers said Arsenal Soccer Schools ran programs in eight communities across Queensland and 20 countries globally.
“This is the first time they’ve taken their coaching program into a detention centre. Teaching soccer is secondary. It’s really about helping young people believe in themselves, respect themselves and each other,” Ms Struthers said. It’s a pilot project, and if all goes well the program could expanded to the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville and to some Indigenous communities in remote areas,” Ms Struthers said.