Young sports leaders participating in the Sure Sports Leaders Programme have been congratulated for their commitment to voluntary coaching.
 
The Sports Leaders Programme is led by the Department of Education and Children’s Sports Development Unit and sponsored by telecoms firm Sure Isle of Man.
 
The current cohort of students have been delivering sports sessions at schools and in the community, and recording their voluntary leadership hours in their Sure Sports Log Books, since September.
 
Emma Callow, Community Sports Development Officer, said: “The Department’s Strategy for Sport aims to increase the number of young people involved in leadership training and mentoring, and support them in gaining recognised coaching qualifications.
 
“The Sure Sports Leaders, who are all in Year 12 at school, have shown commitment and enthusiasm in their leadership and coaching roles since they completed their training in July and began to deliver sports sessions in September. 
 
“Between January and March this year, the students have completed an impressive total of 552 hours coaching sports in a wide variety of settings, including Manx Sport and Recreation activities, primary schools, and community sports clubs, as well as continuing their academic studies.
 
“Seven students have completed a Level 1 National Governing Body coaching award to further develop their leadership skills.”
 
The two students who have delivered the most voluntary hours during the last three months received recognition at a presentation recently at the Sure Shop in Douglas.
 
Joseph Waterson, who attends the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education, completed an extraordinary 62 hours and received a ?100 Sure voucher. Just behind Joe, was Jack Maylin from Castle Rushen High School with 61 hours.

Sarah Jarvis, Marketing Manager at Sure said: “The Sure Sports Leaders’ Programme offers young people opportunities to develop leadership, team work, planning, communication and organisation skills – all of which will be transferrable into further education and indeed future employment. The passion and energy with which these students are engaging in the programme is commendable.”
 
Photo - (L-R) Joseph Waterson (IOM College), Sarah Jarvis (Sure), Jack Maylin (Castle Rushen High School).