Calling Northumberland schools’ budding young sports leaders!
22 Oct 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Young people between 14 and 18 are being encouraged to take part in a successful sports volunteers programme.
Each year teenagers from high and secondary schools are invited to take part in the Northumberland Young Volunteer Pathway, and this year the scheme has been expanded so that more schools in the county can take part.
Volunteer young people have training sessions with inspirational sports people and then get to put the things they have learned into practice by supporting young teams at the Northumberland Para Games and Northumberland School Games County Festival.
Each year’s programme is then rounded off at a celebration event with a ‘sporting champion’, last year former women's World Bobsleigh Champion, Nicola Minichiello.
The programme is organised by Northumberland Sport and funded by Sport England and Northumberland County Council in partnership with the Youth Sports Trust’s Coach Academy and Step into Sport programmes.
Teachers were very complimentary about last year’s programme, with Liz Hicks from Haydon Bridge High School school saying: “It was both moving and inspirational to reflect on the progress my particular cohort of students has made over the course of the volunteer pathway, and how the benefits have manifested themselves not just in their sport and coaching but in all areas of their lives and personal development.
“Your programme has given each young person the chance to realise that potential, in both senses. This was clearly evident at the School Games when the pride and sense of achievement on the bus home were palpable.”
Councillor Wayne Daley, deputy leader and cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council said: “I have watched young people go through this programme in the last couple of years and have been so impressed with the quality of the training received, and the way that they have enjoyed and clearly benefited hugely from the experience.
“This year we have worked with Northumberland Sport to secure additional funding to expand the programme, and I am encouraging all high and secondary schools in the county to sign young people up.”
Five schools in Northumberland have already signed up to the programme for 2019/2020 and with limited spaces schools are asked to sign up quickly to avoid disappointment.
Schools who would like to take part should contact Andrew Tunnah at Northumberland Sport on atunnah@northumberland.gov.uk or phone 01670 623512.