By Community Correspondent Sonia Giga. Youth Sports Trust gives millions of youngsters across the country a chance to step up and step into sports. The programme enables teenagers who are into sports to go out and choose a sport they love and help out their local community. The programme provides opportunities for youths to get involved with local clubs and schools, in the process improving their leadership skills, confidence and communication skills.

Participants are required to help at local clubs in their chosen sports. They then imputed the number of hours that they have volunteered into the website. Awards are given depending on how many hours are completed by the Participants: 50 – Bronze award 100 – Silver Award 200 – Gold Award Lampton School is participating in this programme. One of those taking part is Jasmine Pank, a year 12 student. “I decided to join because I’m interested in sports and gaining an award would be a good achievement”. Jasmine’ chosen sport is Netball and she has so far spent 23 hours helping out at the school’s netball club. She encourages others to take part as well “If you’re interested in sports this is the perfect programme for you because it allows you to have fun doing what you’re good at and its beneficial not only to you but the community as well”.

Other students from Lampton School have also participated including Hakim Nsubaga who has completed 82 hours and who is the closest to receiving a silver award. He is followed by Ricky Juneja who has completed 80 hours. Seven other students are working towards their Bronze award.

According to the Step into sports information leaflet “The purpose of the Step into Sport programme is to increase the quantity, quality and diversity of young people engaged in volunteering and leadership. It is a tool which enables schools and community settings to grow young people as leaders and deploy them as active volunteers both within the school and community settings.”

For more information on how to be part of this scheme visit the website.