Details of an initiative to help young athletes in the Isle of Man hone their skills will be unveiled next week.
The Isle of Man Sport Aid Academy will be launched at a special invitation event at the Manx Museum in Douglas on September 30. The Academy will be aimed at athletes aged between 13 and 16 from across at least 12 sports, with four training and education events planned for the first year.
The aim is to assist young athletes who have not yet met the criteria for the Sport Aid programme, identifying and nurturing potential at an early age.
The Academy is to be funded by sponsors SMP Partners and Newfield, in partnership with Isle of Man Sport.
Isle of Man Sport Aid Sports Performance Co-ordinator Chris Quine said:
"This is an ambitious initiative aiming to build on the legacy of the Isle of Man Sporting Excellence Programme, which was led by Dame Kelly Holmes and Kelly Holmes Education from 2012 to 2014.
'I'm looking forward to outlining what the Academy involves and hopes to achieve at next week's launch event, which will be attended by many of the Island's talented young sportspeople, as well as their parents and coaches.'
He added:
'The Academy is very much a partnership, and has only been possible because of the significant financial support from our sponsors SMP Partners and Newfield. Together we hope to equip the Isle of Man's young athletes with the skills and knowledge they need to compete on the world stage.'
Mark Denton, Managing Director of leading independent trust and corporate services provider SMP Partners, added:
'The Isle of Man has produced many world-class sport stars over the years, and the aim of the Sport Aid Academy is to give more young athletes the opportunities and support they need to develop their skills to that level. We were a sponsor of the Sport Excellence Programme, and I am delighted we are able to support its legacy and continue our investment in the Island's sporting talent by funding the Academy.'
Mark Reynolds, a director at Isle of Man-based eGaming company Newfield, added:
'We are delighted to have the opportunity to assist in the development and nurturing of local talent, which is something that we associate closely with our own company values and staff advancement.
'This programme will allow our young sportsmen and women to not only progress to the next level, but also to learn key skills and characteristics that will assist them in their sporting ventures, and their potential future careers outside of sport.'
