Newham Sports Academy
with Tessa Sanderson
Newham Sports Academy with Tessa
Sanderson celebrated its launch today (Friday October 6) in
Stratford. The first 25 young people, chosen from over 500
applicants, were announced at the event after months of talent
scouting and assessments.
The unique project has been developed by Newham Council
with Tessa Sanderson CBE. Tessa has searched the borough with her
team of elite coaches, including Tony Jarrett, Clarence Callendar
and Julian Golding, for talented young sports people.
The Academy provides members with elite coaching, support from
mentors and sports psychologists and access to cutting edge sports
science advice on diet, training and technique. This will allow
young talented sports people in Newham - one of the countries most
deprived boroughs - to reach their full potential in time for the
London Games.
Tessa Sanderson was joined by sports stars including Olympic
medallist Sharron Davies, champion boxer Amir Khan, and Greg
Rutherford 2006 European silver medalist to congratulate the new
Academy members.
Newham Sports Academy has already attracted support and praise
from a number of quarters - including Sport England, London Sports
Forum for Disabled People and Richard Caborn, Minister for
Sport.
Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, said:
"I am really proud of Newham Sports Academy - it is going to
challenge the way elite athletes are recruited by really connecting
with people at grass roots in a way that hasn't been done
before.
"The Academy has already shown that there is a huge amount of
latent talent in areas like Newham - that until now has not had an
opportunity to shine through. Giving young people free access to
training facilities, support and expert advice means that they can
compete on a level playing field regardless of their
background.
"This successful pilot in Newham proves that the concept can work,
which we hope will encourage other parts of the country to take up
the challenge."
Tessa Sanderson CBE said:
"We have found some seriously impressive young sports people and I
cannot wait to start working with them. My ambition is to have as
many young people from Newham competing in the 2012 Games as
possible. After spending time in local schools and with young
people in the borough, I am confident that we have the talent right
here. Now that the Academy is up and running we will be able to
give these young people everything they need to get to the very top
and bring back some medals to the host borough!"
Matt Delaney, Director of Sport England London said:
"This is great news for the borough of Newham. The purpose of the
project is to build upon existing sports development with schools,
clubs and other community partners, increase overall participation
in sport and active recreation and ensure that talented young
sports people in Newham and East London have the opportunity to
fulfill their potential t o compete at London 2012 and subsequent
Games"
"There is significant under representation in performance sport in
East London including lack of strong clubs and coaches amongst a
few, the Newham Sports Academy aims to directly address these
issues ensuring that talented young sports people flourish. I hope
that as well as improving levels of performance of talented
performers, the Newham Sports Academy will increase participation
in sport and active recreation, and widen access to sport amongst
hard to reach groups thus improving community safety and heath and
wellbeing." He added.
Professor Michael Thorne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of
East London said:
"East London is uniquely diverse and multicultural, and an
incredibly exciting place to live, work and study. The advent of
the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games offers tremendous
opportunities to all of us, and we are delighted to be working in
partnership with the London Borough of Newham to raise the
aspirations and develop the talents of young people in our
communities. We are now rated among the leading universities in the
UK for physiotherapy and sports sciences, and look forward to
playing an active role in the development of the Newham Sports
Academy.
Find out
more about the 2012 Games in Newham