Does your child show the potential to be the next Kelly Sotherton or Brogan Percy?
If you haven’t noticed how fast your little darling runs for the bus, or how easily they jump over the sofa don’t worry, because a team of sports development officers will soon be going into schools to assess year four students.
It’s part of a new scheme that is being launched next week which aims to seek out previously unrecognised talented youngsters.
Apparently, about 1,500 Year Four children are going to be assessed this term by the council sports development officers on a range of skills including strength, agility and co-ordination.
“The top 80 children will then be invited to take part in further multi-skill and coaching academies in the New Year, where clubs, coaches and governing bodies of sport will support the childrens development.”
It sounds like a great idea and if it unearths some hidden athletic talent, it’s something we wholeheartedly encourage.
The Councils new leader, David Pugh and Shanklin North Councillor David Williams will be officially launching the campagin on Monday at 2pm at Lake and Gatten Primary School.
Cllr Pugh said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people on the Isle of Wight who have taken little or no part in sport before to find out if they have the potential to become a star of the future.
“Youngsters successfully coming through this scheme could end up becoming future Olympians. It will also help to encourage more young people across the Island to become involved in sport which fits in well with the council’s aims of encouraging health and fitness among young people.
“The Island Games will be a terrific showcase for the island’s sporting talent and this project will give children a real chance to take part in sporting events in the future.”
