Fifty young volunteers will learn valuable life and workplace skills at a sports camp this month.
The 15 to 18-year-olds will participate in the annual Sure Sports Leader Programme, run by Manx Sport and Recreation (MSR) and sponsored by Sure Isle of Man.
Over a week (18th to 22nd July) at the National Sports Centre, they will learn to coach tag rugby, badminton, golf, swimming, cricket, netball and hockey.
They will gain nationally recognised qualifications from St John Ambulance in emergency first aid and Sports Coach UK in safeguarding and protecting children.
They will also learn general skills that apply in all scenarios such as the fundamentals of movement, communication, time management and session planning.
Following the camp, participants will be mentored by MSR coaching staff delivering the Summer Sports Programme, enabling them to gain confidence coaching children.
From September, the young volunteers will compile Sports Leader Coaching Logbooks, accumulating points at after-school and community clubs, MSR Step into Sport sessions and Manx Youth Games training sessions.
As they pass 25 and 50-hour milestones, they will receive additional free training.
Sure also provides generous prizes for the leaders who clock up the most hours in the autumn and spring terms.
Bill Malarkey MHK, Member of the Department of Education and Children, said: ‘Young people taking part in the Sure Sports Leader Programme gain valuable skills that will enhance their CVs and equip them for later life regardless of whether they go on to work as sports coaches.
‘During the 10 months of the scheme, the young participants also help deliver sports opportunities to other young people, allowing more people to access activities, in line with our Strategy for Sport 2014-2024.
‘This is an excellent scheme and I’d like to thank Sure for its continued support of this and the Sure Sports Primary Schools’ Programme that runs throughout the year.
Sarah Jarvis, Marketing Manager for Sure Isle of Man, said: ‘I couldn’t be more impressed by the young volunteers who take part in the Sure Sports Leader Programme. Their commitment to their sports – and to coaching other youngsters in primary schools – is extraordinary.
‘My colleagues at Sure join me in wishing all the best to the participants in this year’s camp and the ongoing Leader Programme. I look forward to meeting a few of them as the year progresses.’
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