SPORTS BOOST FOR LIVERPOOL

TWO major sports schemes which will benefit school pupils and the local community in Liverpool have been given the green light.

Alsop Community Sports Centre in Walton, which will replace Queens Drive Recreation Centre, is to receive £3,648,000 from the New Opportunities Fund for PE and Sport.

The grant is one of the largest ever awarded by the Fund, and will be used to construct a state-of-the-art building which will include a 25 metre swimming pool, Lifestyles fitness suite including gymnasium, and a sports hall.

Alsop High headteacher Phillip Jamieson said:- "We are delighted with this news. It is a massive boost for both the school and the local community. 

A new sports centre has been a major priority for many years, and this can only enhance sporting activities and developments within the school and the area."

A planning application was recently approved, and work is expected to commence on site later this year with completion expected by the end of 2005.

BURGLARY RAID IN AINSDALE

A thief’s raid in Ainsdale on Liverpool road took place last weeks nearby RAF Woodvale where a house was entered during daylight.

Items stolen from the house was a digital camera, a camcorder and a further professional camera in a camera bag and jewelry. Merseyside police are appealing for witnesses.

YOUNGSTERS TO SCORE IN MINI EURO 2004!

LIVERPOOL FC staff is to help coach the stars of the future in a mini Euro 2004 tournament next month.

Around 500 boys and girls aged 10 and 11 will take part in a qualifying event during summer half term organised by the city council. 

It will see 11 leisure centres in the city representing each of the different countries which are taking part. 

During the qualifiers, the children will receive tuition from Premiership coaching staff at Liverpool FC, who will teach them the skills performed by the likes of Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Harry Kewell.

Each 'country' will then choose a team of 10 who will play in the mini-Euro 2004 final at the Liverpool FC Academy in Kirkby on Sunday June 6. 

John Marsden, Lifestyles Manager at Liverpool City Council, said:- "Children love Euro 2004 as much as adults, and where better to hold a mini tournament than Liverpool - the most football mad city in the country! 

This competition will give children the chance to improve their football skills with help from some of the best coaches in the country. It will keep them fit and active at the same time."

Boundary Committee Review Findings

THE Boundary Committee will announce final recommendations for new patterns of unitary local government in the North West on Tuesday 25 May 2004.  This follows the Committee’s review that was started on 17 June 2003 and has taken nearly a year to complete.   We will bring you the findings next week.