While many people settle down to sleep at 11pm on a Monday night, there is a group of teenagers who are just coming off the football pitch.

The weekly 10pm to 11pm sessions have proven so popular since their launch last year, that teenagers gathered at the Hertswood Centre just before Christmas for the first Twilight Football tournament held in Borehamwood.

The contest came after a year of Monday night sessions held every week at the centre, in Potters Lane.

Matt Gee, 18, captain of the winning team has been attending the sessions for several months.

“It is really brilliant. There are a lot of kids who get together and it keeps us all busy. It also brings everyone together and is really well-run.”

Football for 15 to 19-year-olds was first piloted during Hertsmere Borough Council’s Be There Do It holiday programme in the summer of 2007.

A year ago another six-week pilot was set up between January and February and proved so popular the council decided to continue it.

Helen Bottomley, community sports officer, said: “Through the Be There Do It programme and consultation with youngsters the idea of Twilight Football was formed.

“We have more than 20 people attending each week. We have had a lot of positive feedback from schools and the police.

“Because of the success and demand for Twilight Football we had to run two sessions during the last six-week summer break.”

The sessions have been welcomed by community groups who see the activity as a positive way of keeping youngsters occupied and motivated.

Lee White volunteers on the Monday night sessions, helping out with coaching and training. Rick Brown is the operation manager and Dan Lewis is the coach. With this dedicated group of adults who help organise and run the sessions, young people are given an opportunity to socialise outside of school and develop their sporting skills.

The council is also supported by other public bodies including Hertsmere’s extended schools co-ordinators and the Herts Sports Partnership, which helps to fund the programme.

As well as providing something for the teenagers to do, Ms Bottomley said she has seen how it helps boys come together and develop their team work.

She said: “The tournament was great. All the six teams that entered got plaques for taking part.

“It was a really good atmosphere and everybody got into the spirit of it. There was great sportsmanship and a camaraderie.”

Councillor Brenda Batten, portfolio holder for leisure and culture, presented the cups and trophies to the boys after a whole day of matches.

She echoed Ms Bottomley’s praise of the boys’ teamwork: “The boys were very polite and encouraging to each other,” she said.

“It was really good to watch. All the other teams stayed to cheer the finalists on. I hope there will be more in the future.”

Although England ladies footballer Siobhan Chamber-lain went along to watch the teenagers compete, no girls attend the Monday night sessions.

Ms Bottomley said: “We would like to make it clear that they are open sessions which everyone can attend.

“But to provide alternative opportunities in Borehamwood, we are hoping to bring in a twilight dance group like the one already operating in Potters Bar.”

For more information, call Ms Bottomley on 020 8207 7801 and helen.bottomley @hertsmere.gov.uk