A NEW sport initiative which will provide students with free training in how to be a sports leader has been launched.

The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure has launched the Sure Sports Leaders Programme which will be sponsored by Sure Cable and Wireless.

The initiative will provide students who are 16 to 18 years of age with free training in sport workshops and in return the students will facilitate an after school club at a local primary school on a voluntary basis.

Department Minister David Cretney MHK said: "This new initiative is investing in young people at all levels. The secondary school students are learning core leadership skills which are transferable through all sports and they are also putting something back into the community by providing increased opportunities for primary school children to take part in regular physical activity."

The students will log their voluntary hours and the Sports Development Unit will provide incentives along the way for students who reach certain milestones.

The student who logs the most hours overall in each of the four regions of the Island will win a voucher worth £250 for Sure Cable and Wireless.

Kate Hegarty from Sure said: "We are proud to sponsor this great initiative. Sure have always been keen to promote development in young people.

"The Sports Leaders Programme is a fantastic way of giving young people motivation to become strong leaders. We hope this initiative will really take off and kids of all ages will benefit."

For more information on the Sure Sports Leaders Programme contact Kirsty Cooper on 01624 688559 or e-mail kirsty.cooper@gov.im.