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Find out about the skills
day.

by Lynn Cox

lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

A place in Medway’s Sporting Academy: that was the prize
for hundreds of talented children who took part in day to assess
their skills.

The 10 and 11 years olds had been picked out by sports club coaches
during the Medway Messenger Mini Youth Games, a series of
tournaments which involved more than 2,000 primary school
pupils.

Some children at the assessment day, held at the Black Lion Leisure
Centre, in Gillingham, were put forward by their teachers.

Eighty of the youngsters will be part of the Sporting Academy when
it opens in September.

The academy is a pioneering initiative run by Medway Council which
aims to provide a structured path for young athletes who could
become good enough to compete at Olympic standard.

Danny Crates, Paralympic gold medalist and Medway International
Sporting Ambassador, started the day by giving a speech to the
children.

All the children at the centre were assessed on footwork, agility,
hand-eye co-ordination, balance, flexibility, speed, strength and
concentration.

During their time at the academy, each recruit will take part
in monthly sessions which will include skills coaching, drills,
sports science education and physical
conditioning.