Stoke Leaders Inspired To Take The Next Step In Sport |
North Stoke School Sport Partnership launched it’s newly formed Leadership Academy recently in a presentation evening at Port Vale Football Club attended by 250 sports leaders, their families and local, regional and national sports dignitaries. During the evening leaders aged from nine to nineteen were awarded a graded certificate in recognition of their achievements in leadership to date. They signed an agreement to continue volunteering and developing their skills throughout school and college life and in return received a leaders’ kit bag to support their efforts in practical sessions. Presentations and interviews were given by the four young ambassadors; who both Stoke school sport partnerships have charged to inspire young people from throughout the city to take up sport and perhaps improve their ability to lead others. Sixteen assistant young ambassadors have also appointed from each of High schools in the partnership and a number of them told the audience what their achievements were date in sports participation and leadership, what motivated them to take part and how they intend to inspire other young people. Mark Thornewill, Partnership Manager for the Staffordshire and Stoke County Sports Partnership, commented that: "The contributions from the young people were testament to the excellent work that is going on in the partnership. The commitment of the young people to leadership and volunteering and their involvement in sport was inspirational. What a vast amount of talent they have!" Also in attendance Dave Harry Area Development Officer for Sports leader uk said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the opportunity to talk to so many individuals, colleagues and organisations connected to the Sports Leaders awards. Congratulations to all those who took part in particular the deserved recipients of the accolade of becoming the first of what will be many more future Academy members" Maddogs Martial Arts club and Haywood High school Dance group gave excellent practical displays of how young people are inspiring each other to develop their skills in varied disciplines of sport throughout the partnership. The audience were also given further details of three forthcoming sports leader training camps being run at Stanley Head outdoor education centre. The three day camps will develop the self esteem, team work and presentation skills of leaders and encourage them to develop volunteering further on their return to school. Former Birches Head student and world junior 100 metre bronze medallist Alex Nelson gave an outstanding insight through film and comment into what motivates him to achieve international recognition on the Athletics track. The partnership was also delighted to invite Emily Reynolds; who as national volunteer with the Youth Sport Trust shared her experiences of working in the UK School Games, Step into Sport Leadership/Volunteering Camp and the National Talent Orientation Camp with the gathered audience. Director of Sport at Holden Lane Sports College Jenny Cordon ended the evening with a summary of the possibilities for local leaders to be involved in the international Dreams and Teams programme supported by the British Council and Youth Sport Trust. A certain number of leaders will be able to advance their leadership skills in a link now established with Jamhuri High School in Nairobi, Kenya.
Nigel Edwards Email: nedwards@sgfl.org.uk
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