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Last Updated: Wednesday, 9 May 2007, 16:14 GMT 17:14 UK
Your Game marches into Manchester

Manchester City v Manchester United wasn't the only local derby in town last weekend.

Nacro Salford United
Nacro Salford United won the women's tournament

As Cristiano Ronaldo made the difference in the race for the Premiership, teams from all over Manchester came together in Salford to compete in 'Your Game' - a project designed to inspire young people from deprived backgrounds using football and music.

Hundreds of young men and women took over the Salford Sports Village for the Manchester leg of the UK's biggest ever street football tournament.

The teams represented projects which use football as a method for social inclusion, like addressing gun crime, homelessness and racism.

The hard work of local community groups was crucial in making the event happen and for these young people, giving them an opportunity to play football in a tournament which would not usually come their way.

But it wasn't just about the football.

Local artists Viral Syndicate performed alongside BBC DJs Dev from 1Xtra and the Asian Network's Mentor Collective, giving all the players the chance to try commentating and DJing.

There was also a graffiti masterclass from local artisti Kelzo, a football skills demonstration by Silky Skills and a skateboarding workshop by former UK champion Neil Danns.

Cheetwood A
Cheetwood A won the men's tournament

The aim of Your Game is to provide opportunities for young people to develop as coaches, referees and community workers.

Manchester City star Nedum Onouha stopped by to offer his support.

"You can see from this event today that all the people are here sharing the same interests, and perhaps if this event wasn't here they might be on the streets doing things they shouldn't be doing," said the defender.

"But they're here enjoying the experience and maybe put a more positive spin on their lives.

"Obviously certain things go on on the street that shouldn't be going on, and maybe football can take you away from that, make you focus on channeling your feelings in a more positive way."

Cheetwood A and Nacro Salford United won the men's and women's trophies respectively, with Screamin' Wheels and Nacro Salford City joining them in the final after winning the Fair Play awards.

Michelle Pearson from Lammack Ladies won the Five Live Most Valuable Player award.

We want to hear about your Your Game experiences, use your own personal web pages or email yourgame@bbc.co.uk and let us know.

Your Game is a partnership between the BBC and the Football Foundation, with support from Barclays Spaces for Sports.



SEE ALSO
Onuoha banks on Man City revival
07 May 07 |  Premiership
The Your Game poem
18 May 07 |  Your Game


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