The Isle of Man Sport Aid Academy is set to embark on a second year of working with young sportspeople to help them develop their skills and learn valuable life lessons.

On Friday, during the final workshop of the Academy’s first year, it was announced that the ambitious project will continue into a second year. It will again be funded by SMP Partners and Newfield in partnership with Isle of Man Sport.

The Sport Aid Academy was launched in October as a platform to help athletes aged 13 to 17 who are in the tier below those currently supported by Isle of Man Sport Aid. Through a structured programme of workshops and homework the Academy seeks to equip participants with the support and knowledge they need to work towards becoming the elite athletes of the future.

Importantly, the Academy includes parents, guardians and coaches in the workshops as they play vital roles in the success of all participants.

Over the first year more than 60 young sportspeople attended workshops on ‘commitment to excellence’, ‘resilience, determination and persistence’, ‘discipline and self-regulation’, and, on Friday, ‘respect’.

During the final workshop of the year, the audience heard from sporting stars including Isle of Man Sportsman of the Year Tim Kneale, who makes his Olympic debut in Rio in August, cyclists Marie Morgan, who represented Great Britain twice at the Olympics, and Andrew Roche, athlete Keith Gerrard, as well as ex-professional footballers Lee Dixon and Paul Jones.

It was an opportunity to see how the lessons learned during the year are applied by top athletes.

At the end of the evening it was confirmed the Academy will continue. Many athletes who participated in year one will return, alongside around 30 new Academy members who will attend a ‘boot camp’ in September to study the topics covered in the first year before joining the others at the first workshop in October.

Isle of Man Sport Aid Sports Performance Co-ordinator Chris Quine said: ‘I am absolutely delighted we will be able to continue the work of the Sport Aid Academy into a second year. It has been a huge success and had a meaningful impact on so many of the Island’s young sportspeople, and continuing with new themes for another year can only enhance their skills and knowledge. A further year also means we can bring in another crop of up-and-coming athletes and help them develop and gain a greater understanding of what is involved in performing to your best.

‘The specially designed programme has taught lessons which will help participants in their chosen sport, as well as equip them for the future whatever that may be; commitment, resilience, discipline and respect are skills which will prove invaluable in any walk of life. What has been truly rewarding is seeing how engaged the athletes have been – they have recognised what a great opportunity the Academy presents and made full use of it. During the Academy’s second year we will encourage that enthusiasm and create even more opportunities for the Isle of Man’s youngsters.’

He added: ‘The second year of the Academy is only possible thanks to the ongoing generosity of our sponsors SMP Partners and Newfield. It has been a true partnership as both have been actively engaged in the Academy, attending workshops and encouraging all the participants. We’re looking forward to another year of working closely with our partners.’

Leading independent trust and corporate services provider SMP Partners and Newfield, an Isle of Man-based company within the eGaming sector with a focus on international sporting events, are both committed supporters of the Manx community.

Mark Denton, Managing Director at SMP Partners, said: ‘We had no hesitation in continuing our commitment to the Sport Aid Academy after witnessing the enthusiasm of the participants and seeing the positive effect it has had. The Academy’s aim of not only giving extra assistance to the Island’s young athletes in their chosen sports, but also delivering skills and knowledge which will serve them well through their lives however their careers develop, is an ambition we share and support wholeheartedly.

‘I had the pleasure of attending workshops in year one and it was clear that the participants were making the most of the opportunity and showing a real determination and eagerness to take as much from the experience as possible. Learning lessons about dedication, resilience, discipline and commitment to excellence will help these young people to perform to their highest level in sport, but will also equip them with life skills which will benefit them and our whole community.’

Newfield Director Mark Reynolds added: ‘There can be no doubt that the Sport Aid Academy has had a hugely positive influence on the participants. While attending workshops I have been extremely impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of the athletes, and it is great to see parents and coaches getting closely involved as well. The Academy is clearly inspiring a generation of young athletes and providing them with knowledge will assist them in their sport as well as in whatever walk of life their future holds. This will benefit not only these youngsters, but the Isle of Man as a whole and Newfield was eager to continue its support for the Academy. We look forward to another year of inspiring the Island’s up and coming athletes.’

Photo - Guest athletes, organisers and sponsors for Isle of Man Sport Aid Academy.