A FOOTBALL roadshow is coming to town to inspire teenagers back into the game.

The Football Mash Up Roadshow, taking place at Moss Farm Recreation Centre on February 19, aims to tackle the drop out from football of teenage boys and girls aged between 14 and 17.

It includes football freestylers, time challenges, penalty shootouts, fitness workshops and a fast paced round robin tournament, accompanied by music from Spotify.

The initiative follows an extensive study by HPI, commissioned by The FA and England team sponsor and FA youth partner Vauxhall Motors, to determine why teenagers drop out.

The Football Mash Up sessions aim to tackle these issues by offering a recreational form of football in after-school clubs, played in a range of facilities and delivered by FA qualified coaches or qualified PE teachers.

Donna McIvor, The FA national education manager, said: “The Football Mash Up Roadshow is the first stage of our major plans to get more teenagers playing football on a regular basis.

“We have a target of 2,000 Football Mash Up clubs by the end of 2017 which would mean a total of 40,000 players back in the game and enjoying football in their own environment.”

Matt Craddock, local FA Vauxhall co-ordinator, said: “The response to Football Mash Up has been fantastic and we are starting to see more 14 to17 year olds get back to enjoying playing football with their friends on a regular basis.”

For more information visit facebook.com/FootballMashUp or email Matt Craddock at matt.craddock@theFA.com.