Llandudno Junction’s new ‘good citizen’ scheme strengthens their position in the community

North Wales footballing side Llandudno Junction have begun a partnership with their local community police team to help build links with their community, and believe other clubs can do the same.

The ‘Junior Good Citizen Scheme’ encourages all club members to volunteer at community events in the club kit to represent the Railwaymen, with those who attend the most throughout the year receiving rewards for their time.

In return, the local police team will help to generate sponsorship for the club, and the two bodies hope to generate positive publicity for each other along the way. The scheme has already lead to new tracksuits for the players, which they will be wearing when involved with helping the community.

Llandudno Junction players show off their new tracksuits.

Mike Smith is the club’s under-8s coach, new commercial development officer and a committee member. He is also Llandudno Junction’s local police officer, serving as the community beat officer.

The scheme is his brainchild, and he said that the club serves as a perfect opportunity to get to know the people in his area.

He said: “I came up with the good citizen scheme as I wanted to make the club into more than just a football club. I wanted to encourage civic pride amongst the youngest residents in the hope that as they get older they will respect what they helped to create, and also encourage their friends to do the same.

“The scheme is going from strength to strength and community groups from our area, as well as others, are requesting the help of the children. The boys themselves are taking their representation of the club very seriously.

“The whole reason I launched the scheme was with a view to bring down anti-social behaviour and steering kids away from alcohol and drugs.”

The youngsters are already in high demand, with Mike taking plenty of bookings for their services.

“We are manning a ‘spot the ball’ stall at a local church open morning on March 9 to help raise funds for the church, which is in danger of closing. We are also teaming up with a local residents group and councillors to take part in a litter pick at a local beach.”

Mike added that the children will join local police and councillors to perform environmental audits to decide what needs improving in the area, and what facilities are needed. This will give the youngsters a voice for what goes on locally.

The group are available to help any community groups in the area, whether it be fundraising events or helping out at open days. They also receive input from the fire service, first aid lessons and talks from other agencies.

Mike continued: “The older members can access advice from the armed forces recruitment team and also receive help with CVs, job applications and interview preparation, and they can also receive advice about further education from local college representatives.

“We want the club to enhance the lives and education of all those who are part of it, the club and its members to be seen as a vital part of the community, and for the good citizens to be seen as role models for the younger children joining the club.

“Our aim is to be the first club in the area that parents think of when choosing where to send their child to play football, and our hope is that our players improve not only their football skills but also their social skills and their school reports.

“If there is any sign of misbehaviour on the streets then the children lose their spot in their team in addition to any other relevant action. This is proving a real deterrent, and the children all know that they are representing the club when they are out and about, especially when wearing the club tracksuits.

“Parents will also let us know if their child has been misbehaving and where necessary, the child will be dropped from the team in order to support parents. They have reported a marked improvement in behaviour at home.

“All we want to do is have a positive impact on the children’s lives in addition to coaching them to play football, and for them in turn to have a positive impact on their community.”

Mike also believes that the scheme can be put in to place by any club with a view to improving their relations with their local community and helping their young players get a good grounding in life.

The help the staff and players of Llandudno Junction give to the community will also hopefully lead to an increased interest in their matches.

Mike recommends that anybody interested in setting up a similar scheme for their club get in contact with their own local community policing team, while he is happy to provide advice and help at: Michael.Smith@nthwales.pnn.police.uk.