Football tournament helps build community relations (From Haringey Independent)

Football tournament helps build community relations in Tottenham

10:58am Tuesday 4th September 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

An annual football tournament to build better relations between the community and police has been hailed as the best yet by organisers.

The fifth annual HYPE Unity Cup football tournament had more than 70 young people, in teams of seven, taking part in the competition at pitches in White Hart Lane, Wood Green on Saturday.

Organisers, Haringey's Young People Empowered (HYPE), hope the tournament will help towards rebuilding Tottenham after last year’s riots and improve youth, community and police relations.

Sabrina Rafael, executive of HYPE said: “It was a fantastic day and there was a great atmosphere. Everyone got on well and really enjoyed themselves.

“There is a long way to go in building better relations between young people and police but this tournament is definitely a step in the right direction.”

PCSOs new to the borough helped run the day’s event by being mentors for teams, which included helping get players water and organising matches.

Miss Rafael added: “It gave people the young people the chance to see police in a different light and not just in their uniform. It means they see them as people and not just a police officers and it has helped break down some barriers.

“This was the fourth tournament I have been involved in and I have to say I think this year’s event was the best one yet.”

This year the HYPE also carried out a questionnaire with those taking part in the tournament about their views on issues in the area, with results to be given to the council at a later date.