Since 11 June, Chichester District Council has been working with pupils from four Primary Schools in the area to raise awareness of other cultures and to promote integration, equality, sports participation and healthy living. The sessions, which will involve football training sessions, will lead to a Mini World Cup at Oaklands Park on Friday 13 July when all schools will take part in a fun football tournament.

Focusing on Years 4 and 5, the aim is to use enthusiasm for football to help the pupils to gain a better understanding of other cultures. Each school will be assigned a country that they have to research and they will also be given t-shirts so that they can design their own national strip. The Mini World Cup also aims to increase the activity levels of the young people involved in the programme, and help to contribute to improved sports participation.

This year, Chichester District Council is also working with the West Sussex Youth Offending Service to look at the issue of Restorative Justice and how it can be used both on and off the pitch to resolve conflict.

'This continuing and very popular project gives us an opportunity to help young people understand other cultures. It also gives us a platform to help to combat racism and promote the dangers of drugs and alcohol,' said Councillor Derek James, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety.

Nick Thomas, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Sport, believes that, "The coaching sessions will give the pupils a chance to learn new football skills so that they can aspire to be the next David Beckham. This scheme involves local football clubs in order to ensure quality progression routes for those youngsters that want to develop their football skills further .'

The four schools taking part are East Wittering, Tangmere, St Anthony's and Kingsham. The sessions started on Monday 11 June. Each school will have three sessions before taking part in the Mini World Cup tournament on Friday 13 July, which takes place between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm.

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