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Olympic hopeful meets sport apprentices

AN OLYMPIC hopeful was in Gateshead on Wednesday in a bid to encourage a new wave of sports apprentices.

As part of National College Week, former UK long jump champion, Chris Kirk, visited Gateshead College’s Academy of Sport to meet some young sport enthusiasts from Whickham and Hookergate schools who are hoping to follow in his footsteps.

The visit was organised as part of National Colleges Week and the Gateshead based athlete was on cue to coach long jump master classes, talk about his experiences and answer questions from the students.

He also wanted to emphasise the importance of gaining a college education whilst training in sport.

Chris said: “Gateshead College has an ideal centre, which it shares with the English Institute of Sport, its students have access to some of the best facilities and coaches in the region.

“This focus on sport development coupled with the great range of sport-related qualifications is an ideal environment for young people to start out on a career in sport.”

Every year colleges educate and train around 3.4 million people and Colleges Week, which is in its third year, aims to highlight the vital role that colleges play in providing people of all ages and businesses in the UK with the opportunities they need to succeed.

A full-time professional athlete, Chris is aiming to make the GB team for the 2012 Olympics.

The 25-year-old’s current long jump personal best ranks him at number 17 in the world.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .