Step Into Sport comes to the Derbyshire Dales
Young people in the Derbyshire Dales area have been given their chance to ‘Step Into Sport’ at an event at Ashbourne Leisure Centre.
Around 30 school pupils were invited along to find out about volunteering opportunities in sport across Derbyshire, as part of the Derbyshire Dales Step Into Sport Conference.
Many of those who attended already volunteer in clubs and schools and, in addition to finding out how to increase their participation, the day was an opportunity for them to take part in training sessions on child protection and disability awareness.
In addition they all participated in a FUNdamentals course, led by a SportsCoachuk tutor, that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The conference was also a chance for the young people to hear from Olympic and World Championship Medallist Bryan Steel (pictured), who told how sport helped him to turn his life around.
Bryan, who is a Sport England Sporting Champion, won a silver medal in the Team Pursuit at the 2004 Olympic Games and a bronze in the same event at the 2000 Olympics.
But before finding a love of cycling he had been overweight teenager who had begun to get in trouble with the police.
Derbyshire Sport youth sport officer Sarah Jones also gave an introduction to the Leadership Academy, which is a unique online club exclusively for 16 to 19-year-olds in Derbyshire.
The Academy allows members to record and monitor their volunteering hours across many different activities, and by reaching set milestones they can also qualify for rewards such as sports clothing and accessories.
The Derbyshire Dales event was the latest in a series of events held across the county as part of the national Step Into Sport initiative which encourages people aged 14 to 19 to get involved in sports volunteering.