Get Into Football

Get into football officer John Prince

A former PE teacher who used to coach at Celtic Football Club is leading a campaign to increase the number of amateur football players in Hull.
John Prince (30) is leading a new three-year initiative in the city called 'Get Into Football' which aims to increase the number of players aged 16 and over, both male and female.
"Modern lifestyles and work patterns mean not as many people have weekends free to play for a team," says John.
"But we aim to provide flexible playing opportunities which give people the chance to get their football fix through playing the game they love."

Plans under the initiative include:

• recruiting players for small-sided football because it offers flexibility
• creating work-based football activity for those whose work patterns limit playing opportunities
• developing 'Just Play' Centres, linked to the Mars advertising campaign, with turn up and play sessions for casual players who want to have a 'kick around' without commitment

Based within the Sports Development team at Hull City Council, John is one of 33 Get Into Football officers across the country who are employed under the £3.5 million campaign, which is run by the Football Association (FA).
John aims to help build on the progress of the East Riding County FA which has already increased the number of 11-a-side teams in the region from 412 to 470 in the last two years.

For more information call John on 318 042 or 07872 418153.

John picks a winner More than 500 people entered the competition in February's Hull in print to win a year's pass worth £720 to council-run leisure centres. And John was happy to pick out the winner, who is Audrey Fitzgerald, of Lambwath Road. The pass, otherwise known as a Tonic Family Card, allows two adults and two children to use swimming pools and fitness centres across the city and take part in a wide range of other sporting activities. To find out more about the Tonic Family Card and about other Tonic packages available for council-run leisure centres visit www.hullcc.gov.uk or call 300 300.