The challenges Britain’s athletes of tomorrow face when balancing education and sport will be the focus of the second National Talent Orientation Camp.
Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe and Children’s Minister Kevin Brennan have lent their support to some of Britain’s future Olympic hopefuls ahead of the second National Talent Orientation Camp.
Around 75 of the country’s most promising young sporting talent (see below for a full list of attendees) will get a unique insight into what it takes to become the best when they attend the four-day Camp in Loughborough from Saturday January 5th to Tuesday January 8th, 2008.
Details of the four-day event have been confirmed by organisers, the Youth Sport Trust, with double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes among the elite athletes who will be mentoring the 14-17 year olds.
Gerry Sutcliffe MP will join Dame Kelly for the Camp’s closing ceremony on Tuesday, January 8th and speak with some of the country’s top young talent in five sports – canoeing, rowing, cycling, sailing and triathlon.
The National Talent Orientation Camp is for youngsters of school age who have been identified by their sport’s governing body as having the potential to make it as elite athletes.
Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe said: “The National Talent Orientation Camp goes from strength-to-strength and provides potential sport stars of the future useful insight on what they need to do to reach the very top of their game. With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon the Government, the Youth Sport Trust, UK Sport and sports governing bodies want to ensure that our young sporting talent are fully aware of the challenges to being a world class performer. We will do everything we can to nurture and support their development and help them to realise their sporting ambitions.”
Minister for Children, Schools and Families, Kevin Brennan said: "The second National Talent Camp has a lot to live up to, but I hope it proves to be as impressive and enjoyable as last year. Taking part in regular sport improves a child’s physical and mental health, it equips them for work with vital team working skills. It even inspires them to come to school and boosts their attainment. It’s really exciting to think that some of the children in the playgrounds of today will be our heroes of tomorrow."
For the first time the camp will offer workshops on how schools can support their talented pupils during their development and also an opportunity for parents to get tips and advice on supporting their offspring.
For the athletes, the camp will combine high quality training sessions with workshops on ability and determination, keynote speeches on education and lifestyle planning, advice on drugs-free sport, a Higher Education Marketplace and the opportunity to ask a panel of elite performers questions around what it takes to become the best.
Members of the Armed Forces will also put the young athletes through their paces during a series of command tasks designed to build confidence, self-esteem and develop skills in leadership and teamwork.
Last year’s camp was hailed a huge success with almost four fifths (79%) of athletes saying their performance ranking in their sport has increased since attending. Meanwhile, 97% were hungrier for success, 93% were more determined to achieve success and 91% were more confident in their ability to succeed.
Dame Kelly Holmes said: “The camp aims to give these young athletes a real insight into what life is like at an elite sporting level, so that we can prepare them for what it takes to become the best. These young people are at an age where they are starting to make some really big decisions which will have a major impact on the rest of their lives, for example, am I good enough to forge a career in sport? Do I want it enough? How can I balance my sport with my education? Am I making the best use of my talent to reach my goals?
“We will help answer these questions and challenge the youngsters to really think about their futures. Far from wanting to put them off a career in sport, we are showing them the opportunities available so that they are better-placed to make an informed decision about where they want to go in life.”
Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “The Youth Sport Trust was delighted with the success of the inaugural National Talent Orientation Camp and we are looking forward to helping to prepare more Olympic hopefuls for the many personal, sporting, academic and vocational challenges that lie ahead now and beyond 2012. We are committed to supporting national governing bodies of sport, schools and parents in their efforts to help our young athletes realise their potential and achieve their best as they prepare for life beyond school.”
The National Talent Orientation Camp is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and is the pinnacle of the Gifted and Talented strand of the National School Sport Strategy.
It has been developed by the Youth Sport Trust in partnership with UK Sport and the national governing bodies (NGBs) of the five sports involved.
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For further information
Media are welcome to attend the National Talent Orientation Camp. To confirm attendance or to speak to the young athletes or the elite performers attending the camp, please contact James Webb on 020 7843 2360 or 07752 372151, Katie Smith on 0207 843 2354 or 07825 065195, or Sophie Borromeo on 020 7278 7208 at the Youth Sport Trust Press Office.
Notes to Editors
• The Youth Sport Trust is a registered charity established in 1994 to build a brighter future for young people through sport. For more information please visit www.youthsporttrust.org
• The Youth Sport Trust manages the Gifted and Talented strand of the National School Sport Strategy, which aims to improve the identification and provision of support to talented performers of school age
• The National School Sport Strategy’s prime objective – a joint DCSF and DCMS Private Sector Agreement target – is to increase the percentage of 5-16 year olds taking part in PE and sport. The long term aim is to offer all children access to at least five hours of sport per week by 2012.