A NATIONALLY recognised scheme to get people involved in sport and reduce anti-social behaviour has been extended to the Callington area. CATS (Community Action Through Sport) will be led by Callington Community College and the local police force, following its success in Bude. The CATS award scheme rewards those who have been engaged in activities in their school or community with sports sessions, lessons and training. Its aims are to develop a stronger sense of community and promote healthy lifestyles across the area. CATS was set up in Bude after young people said they felt excluded in the town following following problems of anti-social behaviour. The gulf between younger and older residents in the town was highlighted and sports facilities, although attractive to many youngsters, were said to be inaccessible because of the cost. Many local sport providers in the Bude area now offer their facilities free of charge to people who have gained awards under the scheme and it is hoped the same thing will happen in Callington. Awards are made on three levels from projects such as helping with an out-of-school activity, those with a wider remit such as a beach cleaning project to a complete setting up of a community scheme. Since its launch more than 150 awards have been presented. Director of sport at Callington Community College Michelle Roberts said: 'The CATS project is a fantastic opportunity for the college to recognise students and reward them for their contribution in the community.' Inspector for the East Cornwall area John Moxom said: 'I am delighted that the police will be working in partnership with Callington school and other agencies to introduce this initiative both to Callington and Saltash. 'It recognises and rewards positive engagement by young people with the community in which they live and will, I am sure, help to decrease incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour.'
