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A £28,000 new legacy programme has been announced for the forthcoming 2016 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester.
The cash will go towards giving youngsters life skills and to encourage them to be active and healthy in their lifestyles, captalising on the major sporting event that takes place over April 9th to 10th at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.
Funded by Sport England through the Major Event Engagement Fund and provided by Manchester’s National Cycling Centre, Eastlands Trust and Manchester City Council in partnership with British Cycling, the project will be split into three strands:
- Secondary school coaching, racing and curriculum support
- Street BMX for 11 to 16 year olds
- Engaging with young people aged 16 to 25 who are not in education or employment (NEET)
Research shows more than 54 per cent of the Sport England target audience of 14 to 25 year olds are no longer in education. This is particularly evident in Manchester, with 6.5 per cent of known 16 to 18 year olds in the city being classed as NEET – young people not in education or employment – in 2014, higher than anywhere else in the north west.
It’s the first time the scheme has been extended to alternative educated students who struggle to find suitable employment. The scheme will last six months and will feature learn-ride-programmes on a programme of intense coaching as well as get the chance to further their education with specified coaching courses. They will also be given the chance to volunteer at the event and the chance of essential work experience to enhance their CV.
At the end of the project, the individuals will also get the opportunity to race on the same track as their idols in the Supercross Legacy Race during the 2016 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup at The National Cycling Centre.
“It’s important to get these young people properly integrated into society so they can go on to lead the fullest life they possibly can," said Robert Hunt, headteacher at Sporting Edge youth centre. “This legacy programme is the perfect opportunity for these individuals to get out there, make friends, learn a new talent all the while gaining essential life skills which will put them in good stead for the future.
“It’s about giving these people the right support, re-shaping their perceptions and opening their eyes to a whole new world to put them on the right track and so they know they can do anything they set their mind to.
Jonny Clay, Cycle Sport and Membership Director at British Cycling added: “We are sure that the legacy programme will be a huge success and a valuable source of advice and knowledge for the growing numbers of young people who want to take part in BMX.
“We measure the success of our major events based on the capacity to inspire people to get more active and gain essential life skills along the way.”
Key aspects of the legacy programme will include an integrated approach in increasing the number of young people involved in the sport and a development of the next generation of BMX stars.
You can find out more about tickets for the 2016 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup (9-10 April) online. A schedule for the event can be found at http://bmxsuperx.com.
