Young Leaders Event sees over 170 pupils recruited in Merthyr Primary Schools

A Young Leaders event took place in Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre on Thursday 7^th of November.

The initiative, headed up by Active Merthyr, MTCBC’s Sport Development department, saw up to 8 pupils from each primary school recruited to support sport provision in their schools, managed by their teachers and supported by Active Merthyr.

Young Leaders forms the first stage of Active Merthyr’s sporting leadership pathway, which includes a new pilot programme that will see GCSE PE students have the opportunity to gain additional qualifications and then go on to feed into the joint Sport, Employability, Training and Upskilling Programme (SETUP) delivered by Active Merthyr and Merthyr College.

The latter programme has already resulted in a number of young people going into vocational placements and casual employment opportunities in community sport, as well as students gaining investment from the Local Authority to launch new community projects. Students from the SETUP programme also formed part of the day, leading activities for their new leaders.

This year, Active Merthyr have also introduced a new volunteer recruitment and deployment campaign, providing clubs with the opportunity to connect with individuals looking to fill volunteer roles. Additionally, an education calendar to support the upskilling of volunteers is being developed, ensuring they have the necessary tools to succeed in their roles.

The volunteer of the month programme will also continue, recognizing and celebrating the dedicated individuals who make a difference in our community. There is also a focus being placed on targeted volunteer recruitment from our over 60 and disabled population, aiming to provide inclusive opportunities for all.

Cllr Gareth Lewis, Cabinet Member for Education commented, “Sport in primary school is crucial for the physical, mental, and social development of children. It promotes a healthy lifestyle, teamwork and resilience.

“This initiative is particularly special in the sense that it will also help foster confidence and leadership skills in those Young Leaders. Well done to all of the pupils who took part in this event, I hope it was enjoyed by everyone present.”

Cllr Jamie Scriven, Cabinet Member for Regeneration added, “We are pleased to report that the program successfully recruited up to 8 pupils from each primary school to assist in the provision of sports activities within their schools. These pupils are managed by their teachers and supported by Active Merthyr, allowing them to contribute to the development of sports provision and foster a love for physical activity among their peers.

“We are proud to support and encourage the involvement of young people in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle within their school communities.”