Sheffield Wednesday's Community Programme will be providing a series of free weekly football practice sessions and tournaments after receiving more than £20,000 in funding.

The support comes from the 'Your Community, Your Choice' funding initiative, which was launched last year by Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Homes.

The organisations held events across Sheffield, giving anyone living or working on council estates the opportunity to have their say on how half a million pounds of investment would be spent in local communities, with the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme be named one of the winning projects.

Now, the club, in partnership with Sheffield Homes and The Football League Trust, will use the £21,474 to fund 48 weeks of football activities for youngsters in the Gleadless Valley, Jordanthorpe, Batemoor and Lowedges areas.

Monthly tournaments are also planned, along with visits to the SWFC stadium training ground, which will help bring together children from the four estates.

There will also be the opportunity for those aged 16 plus to train as football coaches. It is hoped that the 40 hour coaching courses will help increase participants employability.

To kick off the project, the first sessions are being held at the Meadowhead School Multi Use Games Area. They are open boys and girls, aged 8 to 16 and will be held each Monday and Wednesday evenings between 5 to 7pm. Additional sessions will take place in Gleadless Valley and Greenhill Park from Easter.

Sheffield Homes South West Area Manager, Les Benn, said: "This is an excellent example of how the 'Your Community, Your Choice' has really let local people decide on the projects they think will make most difference to their community.

"By providing enjoyable and constructive activities the project aims to increase the well being of those involved and also reduce anti-social behaviour. Youngsters can come along, get fit and have some fun, while gaining confidence by improving their team skills. "

For more information about the football sessions contact Matt Bray at Sheffield Wednesday Football Club on 0114 221 2215.