AN ANDOVER councillor is hoping to introduce a new piece of leisure equipment to the town to promote mental and physical health - as well as tackle the ongoing issue of anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Nicholas Asamoah, who has recently embarked on a chorty football project which sees him turn his club, Ra FC, into a training programme for refugee and disadvantaged young people, says he is passionate about using sport to inspire young people.

Speaking about the ongoing issue of anti-social behaviour in Andover, Cllr Asamoah said: “Let’s face it, there’s not a lot to do in the town centre for younger people. It’s boredom.

“I walk my dog every day at Riverside, and during half term there were kids playing loud music, which is fine, but you can see that they are bored and they are having a mini party!”

SEE ALSO: Councillor to offer free training sessions through his community football club for refugee children

He continued: “I want to build a wall where kids can go and hit a ball. It’s exercise, and can help mental health. Something like that in maybe one or two places would be great.

“There is no community centre in Andover. Growing up in North London, there were community centres everywhere. This wouldn’t take long to build, it wouldn’t cost an astronomical amount, and it would be here for years to come.

“We build playgrounds, and that costs a fortune!”

Cllr Asamoah’s vision is for a timber wall, which can be used by both adults and children, for a variety of ball-based sports, without the need for a pitch or court.

Responding to the suggestion, a Test Valley Borough Council spokesperson said: “Our community and leisure team is of course supportive to the principle of any project that helps make activity more accessible to the community.

“Locations need to be appraised in full to make sure they’re appropriate, which includes health and safety, and noise that would be generated, before taking things further.”

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