Sports Institute Set to Inspire City’s Young Athletes
Wolverhampton’s most promising young sporting talent are benefitting from a new Sports Institute which was launched at City of Wolverhampton College this January.
The Sports Institute, which aims to provide the city’s elite athletes with the support and inspiration they need to compete and win, was launched on Monday January 18 at the college’s Community Sports Centre.
The event was attended by former World and European Karate Champion Mike Sailsman and former British Judo Champion Elvis Gordon.
The Institute will help talented young performers excel by offering them the guidance of athletes who have already achieved excellence within their chosen sport.
These sports men and women will act as mentors, speaking to students, offering advice to gifted student athletes and helping to promote the various sports activities open to students.
As part of the event a student honours board was also unveiled, commemorating those students who have represented their country in their chosen sport while at college.
The first five students to have their names added to the board are Charlotte Johnson, aged 16, who represents England in volleyball, Emma Hunt, 19, who represents England in
table tennis and who has recently competed in the Special Olympics, Jamie Holdcroft, 17, who represents England in Crown Green Bowls, Nick Gilmour, 17, who took part in the Deaflympics in Taiwan in 2009 as a table tennis player and Rashad Ali, 17, who has just competed in the first round of the Junior European Volleyball Championships in Denmark.
Sports Centre Manager Gary Wong said: “We are delighted to have so many of the country’s top young sportsmen and women studying at the college.
“Through our new Sports Institute, and with the involvement of some of Britain’s finest athletes, we hope to not only give current young sports stars the support they need but also inspire the sports men and women of tomorrow.”