Castle Point and Rochford councils are joining forces in a major project aimed at unearthing new sporting talent in south-east Essex.

Spurred on by the success of Canvey decathlete Dean Macey, the councils have enlisted the support of the Deanes Sports Centre in Thundersley to set up the Junior Sports Coaching Programme.

The scheme targets boys and girls aged between eight and 11 in a bid to give them more chance to participate in sport outside school hours.

Specialist coaching and equipment will be available to allow the youngsters to develop their game.

"The programme complements the work that is currently being undertaken in junior schools to improve the quality of physical education and extracurricular provision," said Castle Point's sports development officer Natalie Blyde.

And her opposite number at Rochford, Jason Fergus, added: "The Junior Sports Coaching Programme provides a natural pathway for young people to continue to participate in sport out of the school environment and provides an excellent link with local clubs."

The scheme will be launched on Saturday with specialised coaching in netball, athletics, tennis, badminton, trampolining, archery, judo, table tennis, gymnastics and basketball.

Activities will use the experience of Deanes in gym, archery and badminton, Greensward School in basketball and Southend Athletics Club for track and field.

Coaches have been recruited, who will take the youngsters through an initial ten-week level one programme to introduce them to various sports.

After this the children will be linked with established local clubs or progress to level two of the scheme, which provides advanced tuition.

Coaches will undergo Com-munity Delivery Tops training - a national programme developed by Sports England and Youth Sport Trust - to supplement their national governing body qualifications.

"Almost all the schools within the district have been Tops trained and are utilising the resources," added Natalie.

"The youngsters will therefore be familiar with the Sport England-approved equipment, but will also benefit from the additional specialist coaching."

Daws Heath Road-based Deanes will be co-ordinating the programme and the centre's director of physical education, Neil Moir, said: "This is just the start of an exciting project that will raise the standard of sport across the district.

"By tapping into the array of sporting expertise available through local clubs, schools and through the national governing bodies of sport, we aim to expand the programme and set up additional satellite clubs across the district."

Young people interested in attending the scheme will need to complete an application form. Contact Jason Stephens at Deanes Sports Centre on 01268 741162 for more information and an application form.

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