Students given a sporting chance
We're doing our bit for Great Britain’s 2012
Olympics effort, thanks to a great first term for our new
sports coordinator, Lee Spindlow.
Lee, from Reading, is a FESCo (a Further
Education Sports Coordinator). His role is one of several designed
to promote sporting activity throughout education to create
‘the 2012 legacy’.
“I want to get more and more teenagers starting
and sticking with sport. After the Sydney games in
2000, interest in sport waned significantly; there was actually a
decrease in Australia’s young people playing sport. As a FESCo,
it’s my job is to make sure that doesn’t happen
after London 2012.
“I also try to get our very best athletes connected with
professional clubs, so they can start to make a living from their
skills.”
A FESCo is also responsible
for attracting more people to do sports volunteer
work, and organising competitive sport.
“The first thing I did was survey the students
to see what they actually wanted to play.
“Too often we see teenagers reach fifteen and just stop taking
part. I want to avoid that, and see the students getting involved
with their community through sport.”
During the autumn term Lee started clubs for:
- Basketball
- Martial arts
- Street dance
This term Lee plans to start:
- A 5-a-side football league in
the college
- A basketball league with other
local colleges
“The Reading Rockets have helped
me by running basketball training sessions, and they’re always
scouting for new players!
“Last year the college had no sports facilities at all; in the
new building, they’re absolutely brilliant. We
would never have got these clubs started without them.”