Young sports leaders build skills
Published on: 23rd October 2009
Enthusiastic sports leaders gathered in Leeds to broaden their abilities at the seventh annual Step into Sport Conference in Leeds.
The 500 16-year olds were selected from the leadership academies of 60 schools across the county for the conference which is the flagship event of the Step into Sport programme - part of the Governments PE and Sport Strategy for Young People.
On offer were a range of options from first aid and child protection courses to workshops on delivering sessions in 11 sports like netball, cricket and badminton.
There were also opportunities for the young people to learn about sports journalism, strength & conditioning, developing playground games and improvisational skills.
The training day at John Charles Centre for Sport is designed to build leadership skills and equip the delegates to become active and enthusiastic volunteers in sports clubs and communities. One young leader from Halifax said: "After taking part in the West Yorkshire Sport leadership day, I have become interested in getting involved volunteering with disabled sports activities."
Coach Peter Richardson delivered a course on developing multi skills and had a fantastic day: "It was well organised and the quality of the kids was exceptional, the best we have had. Everyone had a good laugh and went away feeling positive."
The purpose of Step into Sport is to increase the quantity, quality and diversity of young people involved in volunteering and leadership. It enables schools and community clubs to help young people develop as leaders and deploy them as active volunteers.
"Volunteers are the lifeblood of all sport organisations. While their efforts are often overlooked, its important to realise just how little sport would take place without them," said Nigel Harrison, Director of West Yorkshire Sport.
Step into Sport is accessed via School Sport Partnerships and supported locally by West Yorkshire Sport - the County Sports Partnership tasked with coordinating sport across the sub-region and is supported by the Youth Sport Trust and Sport England.
There are many different roles that volunteers can play within sport - to find how you can become involved, our website www.westyorkshiresport.co.uk/sis has lots of information and links to local clubs, local bureaus and national organisations.
