Young sports coaches who encouraged primary school children to get fit and active have been congratulated at the culmination of two years’ voluntary work.
 
Six secondary school students completed the latest Sure Sports Leaders’ Programme, run by the Department of Education and Children’s Sports Development Unit and generously sponsored by telecoms firm Sure Isle of Man.
 
Andrew Asbridge (Ballakermeen High School), Sarah Buss (St Ninian’s), Voirrey Baker (Ramsey Grammar) and Becky Kelly, Holly Kelly and Holly Williamson (all Queen Elizabeth II) initially volunteered for the 2012/13 programme and stayed on for a further year.
 
Emma Callow, Community Sports Development Officer with the DEC, said 15 to 18-year-olds are trained in sports coaching, leadership and child protection and then assist with the delivery of sports activities for primary pupils in a variety of settings.
 
‘Between September 2013 and this month, our six young leaders completed an impressive 311 hours’ coaching at schools and community sports clubs, Manx Sport and Recreation (MSR) activities such as primary schools’ sports festivals and Manx Youth Games training sessions,’ Emma said.
 
‘Getting young people interested in, and involved in sport, is vital to their health and well-being and can also set them off on a path of lifelong participation and achievement. Who better to inspire them than other young people who are keen on, and knowledgeable about, sport and get so much fulfilment from it?’
 
All six young leaders were rewarded with Sure-branded clothing.
 
Today at the National Sports Centre, James Hewitt, Sure’s Retail Sales Manager, met the students – four of whom are continuing as paid seasonal coaches with MSR.
 
He presented Andrew Asbridge, who has completed the most voluntary hours (78), with an iPad from Sure, Becky Kelly (70.5 hours) with a ?100 voucher and Voirrey Baker (64 hours) with a ?50 voucher.
Sarah Jarvis, Sure’s Marketing Manager, said: ‘We encourage young people to keep fit, stay healthy and enjoy sport by supporting the Primary Schools’ Sports Programme and we are also delighted to sponsor this excellent Sports Leaders’ Programme.
 
‘With exams and so many other hobbies and commitments, it’s wonderful that the young leaders give up so much of their free time, year-round, to coach and encourage younger children in their sporting endeavours.’
 
Emma said a change in the way the programme is structured meant there were no new recruits in September 2013 but following a recent, week-long sports leaders’ training camp, held at the NSC, 38 new leaders embark on a voluntary coaching period from September 2014 to July 2015. 
 
Recruitment for the 2015/2016 Sure Sports Leaders’ Programme will begin in February, when Year 11 students will receive a presentation in school assemblies. 
 
For further information on the Sure Sports Leaders’ Programme, ring Emma on 688557 or email her via Emma.Callow@gov.im 
 
Photo - shows James Hewitt, Sure’s Retail Sales Manager, with, from left, Holly Kelly, Andrew Asbridge, Becky Kelly, Holly Williamson and Sarah Buss. Voirrey Baker was unable to attend.