Western suburbs kids at risk and police have come together in Footscray for the annual Cops versus Kids Twenty20 cricket match.
Held at Merv Hughes Oval last Wednesday, the match brought together local disadvantaged kids and police in a safe, friendly place.
Australian fast bowling legend Rodney Hogg joined local police and kids from a range of backgrounds, including local African and indigenous communities, in an effort to break down community divides.
The event was the brainchild of Footscray youth worker and 20th Man founder Les Twentyman.
Mr Twentyman said sport was a great way for young people who were struggling to connect with society and feel a part of their community.
“I couldn’t praise police more with the efforts they made to engage and become friends with the kids,” he said.
Mr Twentyman said it was the fifth year the match had been held and the second year in which the teams featured a mix of police and kids.
“In my 30-odd years as a youth worker in the western suburbs, there has always been a lot of friction between some families and police so this is a fantastic way of breaking that down.”
Mr Twentyman hopes to expand the initiative into other sports and roll it out in other locations across Australia.
