SiS 2005-2006

STEP INTO SPORT TRAINING EVENT 2005

YOUNG VOLUNTEERS 'STEP INTO SPORT'

Olympic medalist inspires a new generation

Over 50 dedicated teenagers from across Surrey came together on Friday 9 December to find out how they can get the most from sports volunteering at Surrey's Annual Step into Sport Conference and Training Event.

The highlight of the day was a motivating speech from former Great Britain rower and 2004 Olympic Games Silver Medalist, Alison Mowbray. Alison inspired the youngsters as she told them how volunteers had helped her reach the top of her sport and achieve her Olympic success.

Active Surrey Sports Partnership organised the day at Woking Leisure Centre as part of the national Step into Sport programme, which encourages young people aged 16 to 19 years old to get trained and contribute time to their community. The initiative is open to young people attending schools or colleges within School Sports Partnership areas, and who are undertaking leadership awards such as a Community Sports Leaders Award or an NVQ or Diploma in sports coaching or leadership.

During the Training Event the young people learned how to lead warm up and cool down sessions and deal with first aid and child welfare issues. Active Surrey staff also provided them with information about a range of sports volunteering opportunities, including coaching and officiating.

Now, with the help of Active Surrey, the young people will be looking for a volunteering placement within quality-assured local sports clubs, where they will be looked after by specially trained club volunteer co-ordinators, and join the many other people who give up their time to make sport happen in Surrey.

And, in the New Year, six of the volunteers will be selected to attend a four-day national conference in Loughborough where they will access additional training and may even get the opportunity to volunteer in the USA to further develop their skills!

The young people attending the event came from seven Surrey schools & colleges (Therfield School, Leatherhead; The Ashcombe School, Dorking; Woking College; Fullbrook School, Addlestone; The Bishop Wand School, Sunbury; St John the Baptist School, Woking; St Paul's Catholic College, Sunbury), all part of a School Sports Partnership (families of schools that come together to enhance sports opportunities for all). Ronak Darafshian, an A level PE student from St John the Baptist School in Woking said; "The day has been really interesting. I'm looking forward to getting my placement now so that I can start to put everything I've learnt into practice. And it was great to hear an Olympic medalist talk about how volunteers have helped her career!"

John Woodroffe, Sports Leadership and Volunteering Development Officer for Active Surrey Sports Partnership, was greatly encouraged by the success of the event: "It's really exciting to see so many young people wanting to get involved in sports volunteering. There are a whole host of volunteering opportunities waiting to be filled across the county and sports clubs can really benefit from the skills and enthusiasm that these young people have to offer."

For more information about volunteering or to register your interest in placing a volunteer in your organisation, please contact John Woodroffe on 01483 518943 or john.woodroffe@surreycc.gov.uk.

This is not the only volunteering opportunity for Surrey's young people. Training courses are run throughout the year through Surrey's Young Coaches and Officials (SYCO) Programme, which is open to all 14-19yr olds, and there are many volunteering opportunities for all ages at local accredited sports clubs and events such as the Surrey Youth Games in June.