Success of Cruyff Court Neale Cooper in Torry Charts Path for New Tillydrone Cruyff Court
In May, the much-anticipated Cruyff Court Willie Miller – an outdoor community sports facility - will see its grand opening with representatives from Aberdeen City Council, Denis Law Legacy Trust and The Johan Cruyff Foundation.
The new facility will join Aberdeen’s Cruyff Court Denis Law in the city centre and Cruyff Court Neale Cooper in Tullos - making Aberdeen one of only two cities in the UK to boast three Cruyff Courts.
Cruyff Court Neale Cooper opened in 2019 and replaced a disused playing field next to Tullos Primary School and since the Cruyff Court opened, youth anti-social behaviour has been slashed by 50% in Torry and where the area once topped youth related anti-social behaviour charts it is now 6th.
Denis Law Legacy Trust is a registered children’s charity that operates and delivers a number of free to access programmes and positive destination activities for young people in Aberdeen.
Primarily through Streetsport, which is run in partnership with Robert Gordon University, Denis Law Legacy Trust aims to reduce instances of youth crime and anti-social behaviour; improve health and wellbeing; and encourage inclusivity through sport, physical activity and creative endeavour.
Since 2013, Denis Law Legacy Trust has held free-to-access operations in Torry and currently, the Trust runs a week-nightly Streetsport session on the Cruyff Court Neale Cooper – which saw over 3,500 hours of participations across 2023.
A key factor in the success of Denis Law Legacy Trust’s operations in Torry is thanks to the generosity and support of local businesses and likeminded organisations, such as Energy Transition Zone Ltd who provided vital funding for a Streetsport coach to support the Torry session for a year.
Mark Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Denis Law Legacy Trust said “Cruyff Court Neale Cooper has made a positive impact on the community in Torry, reducing youth anti-social behaviour and providing young people with a safe space to take part in sport and activity.”
“An essential part of this impact is thanks to the generous support we receive from organisations like ETZ Ltd who enable us to ensure our weekly Streetsport sessions are sustainable and surrounded with positive role models that build strong relationships with young people and their communities.”
Carole Monnier, Community Lead, Energy Transition Zone Ltd said “ETZ Ltd is delighted to be supporting this wonderful initiative which continues to make a hugely positive difference for the young people of Torry. What Denis Law Legacy Trust achieves through their Streetsport programme is truly remarkable and I encourage other local businesses to consider giving their support."