Basildon Council's Sports Development Team are looking forward to consolidating their successes in 1999 as they enter the new millennium.

The team have formed successful partnerships with schools, clubs and organisations like This Is Essex partner paper the Echo to promote sports development in the district.

Now sports development officer Tracey Ridgewell and her three-strong team are looking to develop those solid foundations in 2000.

"All we can do is build on what we have got and expand it and enhance it," said Tracey.

The current set up has been in existence since the tail end of 1998 and has already worked on football, rugby, netball, tennis, basketball, swimming, athletics, table tennis and hockey.

"The football development is the prominent one," said Tracey. "The rest of the sports are down to the demand from the schools."

"The biggest part of our job is helping and advising people on things that they do not know, for example, guiding people who are looking for a club," added Gary Piggott, who handles football development.

Apart from offering help, the team also go into schools to provide coaching sessions to boost skills and set up teams for events such as the Essex Youth Games.

The team organises sports coaching events during the school holidays and also sets up induction courses for would-be coaches to arm themselves with the necessary skills.

"Our relationship with schools is excellent, the teachers are very welcoming," said Tracey, who has also been doing teacher training so she can see things from both sides.

"The teachers are not always sure at first but once we have run a course they are fine."

"They are worried that we want to run things rather than work alongside them," added Gary, who explained that sport could take a back seat in schools as teachers were forced to concentrate on improving literacy and numeracy.

"Once they know what we do they really appreciate what we do for the children."

He also said the training sessions for potential coaches were also becoming more popular because people wanted to learn to do the job properly.

Among the organisations the team has worked alongside are Basildon Lawn Tennis Club, Basildon Rugby Club, Basildon and District Netball League and the London Leopards basketball club.

Sport for all - the council's sports development team (l-r) Richard Pollard, Tracey Ridgewell, Alan Reade and Gary Piggott

Picture: NICK ANSELL

Soccer well supported

The development of football across the district has long been a high priority for Basildon Council's Leisure Services department.

The council began the football development scheme in 1996 to offer boys and girls the chance to improve their soccer skills under the guidance of FA-qualified coaches.

Since then the scheme has snowballed to offer a structured range of activities aimed at allowing players to progress from one programme to the next.

Apart from regular sessions at schools in Basildon, Wickford and Billericay, the scheme also offers a full range of holiday schools, a Saturday coaching clinic, junior and intermediate after-school clubs.

Around 50 schools have taken part in the scheme since it was formed, while the summer holiday sessions attract up to a thousand youngsters.

Football development officers Gary Piggott and Alan Reade currently handle the scheme, which is endorsed by Essex County FA.

"It is my belief that anyone taking part in a chosen sport should have the chance to progress to their highest possible level," said Gary.

"It is with this in mind that we have created the school as a natural pathway of progression."

For more information on the football development scheme dial 01268 533166. For details of sports development call 01268 294998. General information is available on the council's LeisureLine on 01268 294929.

Course helped Sam

Billericay youngster Sam Hopwood is one of the football development scheme's success stories.

The 10-year-old attended the council-run schemes - which are priced to only cover the cost of holding them - and was rewarded last July with a one-year schoolboy contract with Premiership giants Arsenal.

Central defender Sam, of Glenside, is receiving training and tips from Gunners coaches as he bids to make it as a professional footballer.

His father Chris said: "We're delighted that a club of Arsenal's size and reputation has taken an interest in our son.

"Sam would like to become a professional footballer and hopes that his time with Arsenal will help him achieve this ambition," added the proud father.

Young talent - Sam Hopwood attended a Basildon Council football development course before he was signed up by Arsenal

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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