A new portable sports arena scheme is doing the trick on the Southside for local young people.

Named Kicks and Tricks by 12-year-old football fan Caitlin Cameron, the mobile unit is successfully diverting the energy of local young people into street football, basket ball and other games on its all-weather surface.

Introduced by Strathclyde Police in partnership with Govan Initiative and Rangers Community Football, the unit is being placed in ‘hot spots’ in Greater Govan to give young people something positive to do and divert them from possible trouble and territorialism. It is wheeled out on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

The arena packs up into a mobile unit which is trailed to the selected spot. Gregg Statt, full time football development officer for the scheme, said, ‘This is a great way to stay fit and active. The pitch is first class and most young people jump at the chance to play on it.’