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New sports scheme to help keep the Olympic flame burning

Monday 6 February 2012

Newham High Performance

In the year when athletes from all over the World will descend on Newham to compete in the London 2012 Games, the University of East London has forged an exciting partnership with Newham Council to help identify and develop the talents of future Olympians and sporting stars in the borough.

The Newham High Performance Programme, which was formerly known as the Newham Sports Academy, is being launched to help create a world-class support environment to nurture sporting talent and increase the representation of local people at both national and international level.

Through this programme, UEL and the council will set out to discover the best of the best in terms of sporting talent across Newham and work with local sports clubs, schools, and community groups, which are often awash with untapped sporting talent.

David Cosford, Director of Sport at UEL, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer the same high level of support services to Newham’s future generation of sports stars, as we do to our elite sports scholarship students at UEL. This programme will offer them the essential support required to take their performance to the next level and help UEL in its bid to become the number one university for sport in London by 2015.

“If you’re a potential successor to Usain Bolt’s Olympic Crown or the next Phillips Idowu and you dream of competing with the best in The World, we can help put you on the right track through this programme.”

Newham Mayor, Sir Robin Wales, said: "The eyes of the world will soon be upon Newham which is why we are delighted to be part of this exciting partnership with UEL. Most of the London 2012 Games will take place here so it is fitting we are creating a programme to develop and support talented young sports people. We were the first borough in London to offer free swims and have one of the biggest sports and activities programmes in the capital. This new venture will tap into that deep wellsping of local talent."

Successful applicants will be treated to a comprehensive package of extra support including additional access to coaching and training facilities, including UEL’s new £21million SportsDock facility and sports science and lifestyle support. In addition, members of the programme will have the opportunity to apply for funding to help meet training and equipment costs.

To be eligible for this scheme, applicants need to be living in Newham or attending school in Newham; competing in a recognised Olympic or Paralympic sport and be aged at least 14 years old.

For further information about the programme and eligibility criteria, please contact Elizabeth Egan, High Performance Sport Manager, on 020 8223 4290 or e.egan@uel.ac.uk

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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