IT was funded by lottery money, designed to keep children off the streets during the long summer holidays and has proved such a success that it now looks to expand next year.
More than 400 youngsters took part in the Street Soccer football coaching scheme staged at the Aviary, Velmore and North End Copse estates in Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford during the summer.
More than 50 girls and boys aged eight to 16 were able to enjoy the finals day held at Eastleigh's Fleming Park Leisure Centre.
The free family day, run by sports coaching company Team Elite, featured an inter-estate football competition, plus a penalty shoot-out competition with Southampton Football Club mascot Super Saint. Young-sters were awarded medals by Eastleigh deputy mayor Councillor Bernie Wright.
The scheme was funded by a successful lottery bid by residents' organisations at the Aviary and North End Copse estates. It was supported by the council, Eastleigh Housing Association and St Francis Youth FC.
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