Football partnership promotes Road Safety

25/11/2010 @ 08:22

Newtown Football Club and Powys County Council's Road Safety Unit have teamed up for an exciting partnership to deliver a key message - the importance of road safety.

The match on Saturday 20th November, at Latham Park saw Junior Road Safety Officers from Abermule, Beguildy, Caersws, Maesyrhandir, Rhayader and Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd schools acting as mascots for Newtown FC in their Principality Building Society Welsh Premier League game against Neath.

The Junior Road Safety Officers were helping to promote the 'Be Safe Be Seen' campaign by giving out reflective key rings and information to every child at the game. The council's Road Safety Unit were also in attendance promoting their anti drink-drive campaign to adult supporters.

The promotion was coordinated with organisers of Newtown Football Club as part of their community initiative which aims to incorporate football, health awareness and educational issues into the lives of young people living in and around Newtown.

Alyson Broome from the council's Road Safety Unit, said:

"Junior Road Safety Officers play a key role in leading road safety initiatives among their peers. It allows the pupils to take ownership of the scheme and influence good behaviour and good road safety skills amongst other children. It's a really effective scheme that is running in 42 primary schools across Powys.

"With the dark nights drawing in and Christmas just around the corner, there are a number of issues we all need reminding of, whether it's children wearing bright and reflective clothing, or the perils of drink-driving. I hope everyone enjoyed Saturday's match and took home a valuable message about road safety."

The football match was screened live on S4C, with some of the Junior Road Safety Officers being interviewed live by Sgorio presenter Alun Williams.

Tim Broome who is Football Development Officer for the Welsh Football Trust said:

"Saturday's game provided a great opportunity to publicise a very important message to a large audience. A special thank you must go to Newtown Football Club for supporting such a worthwhile initiative."