METTRACK NEWS

London Riots News

2011-09-12T05:07:00.001-07:00

The shambolic scenes that adorned our TV screens, beamed from the streets of our Capital city earlier this month, will have sickened every civilised citizen, irrespective of their political affiliation, religious belief, race, or social background.

Now of course the recriminations, analysis, and review of what happened, and most importantly 'why' will occupy the minds of politicians and academics for many months to come. There is rarely any simple panacea for these issues, but I do believe that sport - especially athletics - has a massive role to play.

I have spent 35 years coaching athletics at various levels, spending many early years with the young, progressing to where I am now - typing this missive in South Korea awaiting the start of the World Championships. And through those years there has been one very clear message from young and senior athletes, and that is their fears of what might have been, had they not found sport.

Young people need, seek, indeed feed on thrill and excitement. They crave a belonging and identity that gives them status in front of an audience. If they are deprived of that, they become more and more desperate to find it, and hence become extremely vulnerable to an increasingly threatening and cruel outside world.

You can translate this two ways: a youngster without guidance for whatever reason, becomes attracted to a gang, receives negative influences, is desperate to fit in, and so follows negative role models into a downward spiral of anti-social behaviour and ultimate criminal offending. Or you can have a young person who is given that one chance to take up sport, make him/her part of a group/team, show them how much fun it can be and/or unearth a talent, reward them with uniform or kit, and you have positive behaviour boxes being ticked all over the page! Motivation, leadership skills, self-esteem and confidence - they all come, slowly but surely, and lay the foundations for a constructive, not destructive, future!

When I was at Blackheath Harriers (as they were then called), we developed a massive youth scheme which was hugely successful. Team sweatshirts with "National Champions" emblazoned thereon were slept in! You only have to talk to participants of schemes like Met-Track, and many others, to understand that this in many cases is the first time these young people have actually been given the chance to have a go at anything. Dishing out simple tee-shirts in Hackney brought cheesey grins to even the most stubborn members!

Athletics is a multi-discipline sport appealing to both genders, and has wide appeal. Yet it is largely an annual day in many of our schools (sports day) or confined to elite school team members. Those most vulnerable to the scenario described above are left to their own devices - and the results were very clear indeed in Tottenham, Hackney, Croydon, and many other London flashpoints.

We have to invest more in young people and getting them on the right track (no pun intended!). With Met-Track we have struggled to sustain funding and are actually in danger of going bust - scandalous in the wake of such criminality on our streets, and obvious demand for diversionary schemes. And funding "released" by politicians is far from realistic. A 17-page form to apply for authorisation to apply for Lottery funding - and then a 26-pager to actually apply! Two attempts at Mayors' funding after we are told we tick all the boxes, only to be rejected without being shortlisted? And this for a tried, tested, and extremely effective project!

Ultimately, the criminal justice system and robust policing will have to be the answer for many but, until there is a proper strategic approach to engaging with our young, educating parents on how to engender responsibility in their off-spring, I fear for our longer-term future.

CITY KIDS GET INTERNATIONAL VISIT!

2011-07-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

Young Londoners taking part in the Westminster Met-Track project were treated to an extra serving of international coaching at Paddington Recreation Ground this Wednesday (13th July).

As if regular coaches, French international Gus Ebhohinhem-Ben and Commonwealth Triple Jump Champion Tosin Oke weren't enough, their latest session attracted Britain's sprints superkid, David Bolarinwa (17).

David, the fastest under-18 in the world last year, has become a role model for coach John Powell's sports project, and was able to talk to the young people at the session about his experiences as a teenager on the international circuit. Then he went on to help with the coaching session, demonstrating the sprint start.

Westminster is one of London's strongest Met-Track squads, and if the special visit wasn't enough, a camera crew shadowed the whole event, gaining footage that will hopefully lead to the BBC making a documentary about David's athletics, his coach, Scheme Director John Powell, and the Met-Track project as a whole.

"Any kind of exposure for the scheme is positive," said John, "but if we have a documentary go out on a BBC channel in Olympic year, that won't do us any harm at all! David is an excellent role model for young Londoners, and I'm really pleased he's willing to visit the project like this. It brings a whole new dimension to sport for the young people taking part - they can talk to someone who started where they are and who has proved just what can be achieved with a little effort and application."

"Met-Track is a great project," said David. "I have been really lucky to progress to international level, but you don't have to be good at something to have fun."

Since David has been associated with the project, Met-Track has set up a school academy at his secondary school, Woolwich Polytechnic, in Greenwich Borough.

YOUNG EASTENDERS GO TO PRISON!

2011-06-29T11:27:00.000-07:00

As Met-Track continues to develop its many wings of activity toward pointing young Londoners in the right direction, seven pupils from Barking and Dagenham College visited Category D prison Blantyre House, in Sussex, and got a first hand taste of just what custody is like.

The young people, aged 15 and 16, who had all been excluded from schools in the past, got a tour of the establishment, but most significantly, had 90 minutes' interactive input from four serving prisoners who were all completing long-term sentences - one serving life for murder, another an extended term for armed robbery.

The presentations included how these inmates got into trouble at first, and eventually received custodial sentences. Their presentation represented the most striking deterrent to anyone contemplating behaviour that risked a prison sentence. They described in graphic detail their experiences, and gave a first hand account of exactly what to expect when you receive a prison term. Their young audience remained completely captivated throughout.

Blantyre House houses prisoners whose behaviour elsewhere has merited their move to what is essentially a resettlement prison for inmates soon to be re-integrated into society, similar to the Latchmere House establishment that has worked with Met-Track in the past.

"This looked like it was a real wake-up call for some of the young people there," said Scheme Manager Jason Hussain. "When the guys introduced themselves and talked so openly about their lives inside, I doubt anyone could fail to be completely absorbed with what they had to say. Most importantly though, it should be a huge deterrent for these young people to go down an offending route in life, because that is exactly where these guys began."

Met-Track Scheme Director, John Powell, said: "This is something I want to link into as many Met-Track schemes as possible. We also want to get the prisoners out to see the young people in Met-Track training environments and striking up a rapport that mentors them away from offending or anti-social behaviour.

"There will of course be people who have doubts as to the appropriateness of this programme: well I would say to them they should come to the prison and listen to one of the presentations themselves, because it is something you will remember for a long time."

Met-Track is continuing to expand around London this year, and schemes including prisoner mentoring are high on the project's list of priorities. A large proportion of the young people who take part in the scheme in boroughs all over the Capital do not go on to offend or reoffend, and the partnership working with the Prison Service is seen as very much part of the deterrent process.

See also http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4736691.stm

MET-TRACK COACHES LEAD THE WAY!

2011-05-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

As the summer track and fieldseason gets under way, Met-Track coaches are getting their legs to do the talking as they provide the perfect example to their charges of what can be achieved through sport with a little bit of hard work!

Coaching in Sutton, Lewisham, Kelsey Park and Charles Darwin Academies, and the newly-launched Coopers School Academy, Bromley, James Ellington produced a world class performance over 100 metres at the recent Loughborough University International match.

Representing England, he clockeda spectacular 10.12 seconds for the blue ribbon sprints event - a huge break-through with his previous fastest outing being 10.23s.

James has been coachingfor Met-Track since its inauguration in 2005, and has converted countless young Londoners to the idea that sport holds a positive future with opportunities to develop and achieve. Aged 25, he is now emerging as one of Britain's fastest men, but remains committed to helping young Londoners invest positively in their future:

"Met-Track has been a great scheme to coach on," said James. "I have no idea where I'd be if it weren't for athletics, and a lot of kids haven't a clue just how much fun they can have simply by taking part and getting fit. You don't have to be a Usain Bolt to walk onto a track, and every time I get a new kid come to one of my squads, I think of where I was years ago."

One of the most original aspects of Met-Track in London is that it is staffed by international athletes. Also being qualified coaches, they inject a unique energy as role models into the grass roots of the sport. As the traditional curtain-raiser for the UK domestic season, the Loughborough event saw other Met-Track coaches in Aidan Syers, Dwayne Grant, Gemma and Georgina Malster, and Scheme Manager Jason Hussain also in action. JJ Jegede, a huge loss to Met-Track when he migrated to Northumberland last month, again won the long jump as British number one in the event.

Scheme Director John Powell, who also coaches James, Dwayne and Jason, said: "We are immensely proud of what we deliver at Met-Track. Our coaches are role models to the young people they work with, and are delivering some outstanding results all over London. Many are full-time athletes and so their coaching role compliments perfectly their training regime, with obvious benefits to the young Londoners they work with. I only hope that, in the currently immensely challenging fiscal environment, we continue to receive the support we need to survive."

Give young people a sporting chance of escaping violence!

2011-05-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

Met-Track Newspaper Stories:

Olympics chief Lord Coe hails project working with schools.

Download full story here

Olympic committee applauds police sports scheme for keeping youngsters on track.

Download full story here

Met-Track becomes part of London 2012 'Truce' Programme

2011-04-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

Met-Track has been recognised by London 2012 for the work it is doing to promote peace and provide a conduit toward conflict resolution through sport.

Met-Track has already been awarded the Inspire Mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme, for the work it has been doing to engage young Londoners in athletics and fitness training, delivered by international athletes, with a view to offering alternative pathways toward positive futures.
Met-Track has now also become part of London 2012’s ‘Truce’ programme, which recognises projects that help to promote the Olympic Truce by ‘building a better and more peaceful world through sport and the Olympic ideal.’

The scheme, launched in 2005, has gone from strength to strength engaging with thousands of young people in London, targeting those most likely to benefit, with upwards of 80% not offending or reoffending as a result.

Met-Track’s comprehensive programme of sports coaching, mentoring, and engagement, has won many plaudits, with case studies and testimonies underlining how the project has managed to steer so many young Londoners away from anti-social behavior and crime, making the Capital a safer place in which to live and work in the final run-up to the biggest show on earth in 2012!

Seb Coe, Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “The main principle behind the Olympic Truce today is to help to build a better and more peaceful world through sport and the Olympic ideal. We are delighted that Met-Track is not only helping us to present a safer, more cohesive Capital City to the rest of the world in 2012, but is also using sport to promote peace and address conflict resolution.

Superintendent John Powell, of TPHQ Patrol OCU who is also director of the scheme was delighted with his project’s latest accolade: “The Olympic ideals represent what Met-Track is all about. In targeting young people who might not otherwise think about taking up sport and perhaps who are facing a less than positive future, we are promoting sport, supporting peace, preventing crime, and making London that much safer.

“We are very proud of what we are delivering. Only recently, one of our coaches recognised some pupils from a school where one of our academies is based. It transpired they were en route to confront another east London gang. Not only did he turf them off the bus and send them home, he had them attend his next session, and has since begun to reform attitudes and break down the gang culture.”

Ealing borough have announced support for Met-Track into 2012 and beyond !

2011-04-19T00:57:00.000-07:00

Ealing borough have announced support for Met-Track into 2012 and beyond with a cash injection that will see their project reach into 2012 and possibly beyond. It stands as one of the most successful schemes in London, and continues to go from strength to strength.

A steady stream of young people attend the Met-Track sessions at the Perivale track every Thursday between 4.30pm and 6pm, and several have gone on to join the local athletics club.
The borough are holding an Easter awards event where the local Police Borough Commander will attend and present certificates. Parents are also invited and a light buffet will be provided. Statistics representing the past year's work set the borough aside from the majority of their neighbours:

• 81 tee-shirts awarded;
• 55 bronze, 23 silver, and 15 gold medals and certificates presented;
• 39 hoodies given out;
• 9 track passes awarded;
• 11 pairs of spikes given;
• 40 Met-Track rain jackets given out.

The borough sent 22 participants on a recent Star-Track athletics week, and have further diversified with visits from specialists who have completed a comprehensive programme of activities for local young people. A throws event has been organised this Easter with the West London Hammer School, and some Met-Track youngsters are looking to compete in a local open track and field meeting during the holidays. The Metropolitan Police Firearms Unit are sending officers down to speak to the group, and further presentations will be arranged for later in the year.
"Ealing are a shining example of what can be achieved with a little effort and coordination," said Scheme Director, John Powell. "They are delivering a quality product, targeting the right audience, and seeing very few of their number entering the anti-social behaviour radar, let alone offending or reoffending."

Read past news stories on Ealing Borough here.

Hammersmith and Fulham became the 25th London borough to launch Met-Track on 30.31 March 2011

2011-04-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

Around 200 local young people enjoyed a feast of sport and barrier breaking activities with police in a showcase event that was the precursor to weekly sessions at the Phoenix School starting on Tuesday 05 April

Some of Britain's finest international athletics coached track and field events, leading street dance instructors took street dance classes, and community scheme coaches from Chelsea Football Club provided football coaching.

Each day kicked off with one of the most impactive talks any of the young people will have received. This was from two serving prisoners, released on licence from Category D HMP Latchmere House, specifically to support Met-Track, as they have before. They gave a very stark reality check on what life is really like behind bars, and described in graphic detail just why young people today would concentrate on their education, and steer well clear of guns and knives.

Activities with a difference followed the lunch break where the young people were treated to experiencing life on the other side of the glass with the Met's elite Territorial Support Group. Officers demonstrated how and why they used a lot of specialist equipment, gave the young people the opportunity to dress up in personal protective gear and even set up relay races whereby the youngsters donned body armour, shields and batons after being told exactly how and why these are deployed in London.

Scheme Director and Met Superintendent John Powell said: "These activities are exceptionally popular but there is a serious message that we convey and it is very clear that young people learned a lot about how we police public order situations and most importantly, why. It also broke down a lot of barriers between them and an organisation that many of them very clearly felt represented a less than approachable image."

The sports sessions were also very popular and won many plaudits from visiting teachers and visitors from the local community.

"It is very clear that we successfully reached much of our target audience", said Scheme Manager Jason Hussain. "We aim for an audience that may not necessarily otherwise had the opportunity or even considered engaging in sport. It was very clear to me that many sets of eyes were opened in Hammersmith and we are really optimistic that this scheme can produce some very positive results in terms of reducing local youth anti-social behaviour."

Scheme Director John Powell added: "huge credit is due to Police Community Support Officer Mel McClure who single handedly organised this event and has been raising funds to support it over a period of 2 years. We were delighted the event was so successful and rewarded all her endeavours.

"We don't have other launches on the horizon at the moment and so will be looking to consolidate the scheme on the boroughs currently running it. However, our priority now has to be to raise significant funding to sustain the scheme in the long term. To date, all our applications to the Lottery, the Mayor's Fund, Comic Relief and other sources have all been rejected and if that trend continues through 2011, we may find ourselves having to reconsider our potential to contribute towards the Olympic Legacy."

London Evening Standard Reports On MET-TRACK!

2011-03-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

Children have a bash at beating police: Met initiative helps drive down youth offending

At first sight these images appear to show a violent clash between riot police and troublesome teenagers. But this is the latest initiative to drive down anti-socal behaviour and youth offending. The teenagers from schools in Camden and Westminster were taking part in a sports training session in Regent's Park organised by the charity Met-Track. The charity runs sessions to provide coaching for young people from the ages of 11 to 17 by international athletes, including sprinters such as David Bolarinwa. While much of the training involves athletics, there are sessions that allow youngsters to beat up members of the Territorial Support Group. Set up by Met Superintendent John Powell, the scheme has helped thousands of young people in London. He said the TSG sessions were often the most popular part of the day. "The kids get an explanation of what these officers do and why and then they get the chance to dress up in their kit and act out the role themselves. It's hugely popular, it really does break down barriers between these young people and officers who are often seen as soldiers on the street. "Obviously the police officers have padded equipment and it is all very controlled. We are not teaching these kids how to go out on student protests but it puts us on a level with them. "We do have some fairly challenged kids, some come from pupil referral units and others have an offending history. It is amazing how this breaks down barriers between us." Mr Powell added: "Between 80 and 85 per cent of people who do engage with Met-Track do not offend or re-offend."

Full story can be found here on the London Evening Standards website.

Met-Track completed it's 24th launch

2011-03-24T10:26:00.001-07:00

Met-Track completed it's 24th launch event this week with a two-day spectacular in London's Regents Park. Where single boroughs have staged their own showcase in the past, this unique scheme brings together both Westminster and Camden.

Local young Londoners were treated to a day's coaching in athletics by international athletes, received street dance sessions from top instructors, and a cricket session from representatives of the Street Chance project.

As if that were not enough, they were treated to a practical, interactive, hour's intensive training with the Metropolitan Police elite Territorial Support Group, where they were told of why and how Police deploy certain tactics in public order situations, and were then allowed to try it out for themselves.

Scheme Director and Police Superintendent, John Powell, explained: "We aim to offer this as a taster session offering sport as a healthy alternative in life to young people who may not otherwise .get the chance. And in the showcases we like to incorporate some ice-breaking exercises between young people and Police by conveying key messages in a fun environment.

These sessions are immensely popular, and hence hugely impactive, although a casual onlookers could be forgiven for a double take, as we let the young people bombard police and each other with missiles (tennis balls) and test police padded shields with batons!"

The brand new scheme rolls on now with weekly sessions at the Regents Park venue which lies roughly opposite Primrose Hill in the Northern segment of the park, near to the zoo. They will take place every Monday throughout the year now from 4.15-6.15pm. Any young person aged 10-17 can take part and it is completely free of charge.

Those at the second day of the launch event (Tuesday 22nd) had a special treat with European and Commonwealth Sprint hurdles champion Andy Turner popping in to display his medals and talk to the young People, along with David Bolarinwa, who was the fastest under-18 in the world last year. Also visiting was Deputy Lord Mayor of London, Councillor Jan Prendergast.

Photos of the launch event will appear on this website over the course of the next few days. Copies can be requested via the Met-Track team.

Met-Track launched it's 24th scheme today (Monday 20th March) in the iconic venue that is London's Regents Park.

2011-03-22T14:05:00.001-07:00

Met-Track launched it's 24th scheme today (Monday 20th March) in the iconic venue that is London's Regents Park.
Over 120 young people benefited from top class coaching by British International athletes in sprints and long jump, while coaches from the Street Chance cricket project, and instructors from one of the Capital's leading dance schools offered alternative activities.
As if this was not enough, the prestigious Metropolitan Police Territorial Support Group arrived in the form of 2-area team 2 who have supported former projects. They gave young people from the boroughs of Camden and Westminster an opportunity to don public order kit .and equipment and fire missiles at uniformed Police officers!

"It sounds outrageous," said Scheme Director John Powell, "but it is a fantastic chance for young people to see exactly ow it's done - and why it's done. And it's terrific fun too!"
The scheme rolls out again tomorrow (21st) and then begins it's weekly sessions, which are open to anyone, every Monday, starting at 4pm on 28th March.

"We want any young people to come down and find out just what sport has to offer - and we aren't looking for stars, just people who want to take part and have fun," said John.

Met-Track continues its expansion across the Capital

2011-03-22T14:03:00.001-07:00

Met-Track continues its expansion across the Capital on Monday and Tuesday 21-22nd March, with a unique launch event in Regents Park.
The Royal Parks Police have joined up with lead agency the British Athletic Charitable Trust over recent months, to formulate a scheme that will see Westminster and Camden Boroughs working hand-in-glove with the Royal Parks Command.
Young people from schools in both boroughs will take part in a showcase event that will attract over 200 participants, who would probably never otherwise have had the opportunity to train under the tutelage of international athletes in sprints and long jump. Other activities will include the ever-popular street dance classes, along with instruction in cricket.
The objective across both days will be to encourage the young people taking part - along with any of their friends and family - to come back the following Monday (28th) for the first of what will be weekly training opportunities with top international athletes working in a coaching role. The sessions will be free, last for two hours, and begin at 4pm every Monday throughout the summer.
Met-Track have traditionally partnered Kickz to provide football at their launch events, but for the first time in their six-year history, they entertain cricket in Regents park, linking in with the successful Street Chance project which promotes the sport as another diversion opportunity for young Londoners.
Scheme Director, John Powell, said: "We are delighted to offer another launch event in one of London's most iconic locations, Regents Park. In adopting cricket for this event it further shows how diverse the Met-Track model can be - anything, in fact, that can offer young people in our Capital City the chance to make some positive decisions in life and steer themselves away from negative influence."
The launch event will take pace at the athletics track located next to Regents Park zoo, and will begin at 9.15am on both days. Track and Field megastar, Andy Turner will visit the event on Tuesday 22nd. The European and Commonwealth Games sprint hurdles gold medallist will chat to the young people taking part and look to use his story to inspire others to take up sport as a healthy life alternative.
If successful, and if further funding can be found to sustain the project, the weekly sessions will continue through Autumn and winter on Saturday mornings.

Barnet - Met track news

2011-03-11T04:45:00.000-08:00

Ravenscroft School Head Teacher Mr Paul Ferrie (left) presents Met-Track tee-shirts to some of the regulars at the Barnet Borough based academy. Squad coach, international sprinter Rion Pierre joins them (right). The Barnet squad trains every Tuesday at 3pm and is open to anyone to attend whether they attend the school or not.

More details on this squad here.

SEB COE GIVES HACKNEY HIS STAMP OF APPROVAL

2011-03-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

(left): Lord Coe meets Met-Track Scheme Director John Powell, and Scheme Manager, Jason Hussain

Lord Sebastian Coe, former double Olympic Champion, and the mastermind behind the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, gave one big stamp of approval to Met-Track in Hackney this morning (Tuesday 1st March)
The Chief Executive of London 2012 visited the Mossbourne Community Academy in East London, and witnessed first hand a Met-Track session under the leadership of resident coach JJ Jegede, who is also the UK's leading long jumper this year.

British International JJ chatted to Lord Coe and introduced some of the young people taking part. One said: "Met-Track has been amazing and it's really given me something positive to do with myself now. I used to get into all sorts of trouvle, but now I love my athletbcs and I want to join a club."

(left): Lord Coe gets a lesson ni sprint starts from members of the Hackney squad at Mossbourne

Seb was given a lesson in sprint starts by one pupil, and had the rest of the group enthusiastically chatting to him about their new-found interest in athletics through Met-Track. The pupils referred to Met-Track are se;ected by the staff at Mossbourne as those young people most likely to benefit.

Lord Coe also met with Met-Track Scheme Director, John Powell, who was also visiting with Scheme Manager Jason Hussain. Local Metropolitan Police Officers, Peter White and Andy Hills represented the local borough - PC White has been instrumental n driving the ocal Met-Track initiative, while PC Hills was the local Schools Officer at Mossbourne.

John Powell said: "It's great that Seb has at last been able to visit one of our sessions. He and I have met on seveMal occasions, and he has followed the progress of met-Track from an early stage, but this is the first time he has been able to see it in action first hand. He certainly seemed to be very impressed indeed." Further pictures of the session, together with Lord Coe's visit, will appear on this website shortly.

(Left): Lord Coe chats to Mossbourne pupils with Met-Track coah JJ Jegede looking on.

MET-TRACK COACHES STEAL THE LIMELIGHT

2011-02-15T09:57:00.000-08:00

The recent UK Athletics Indoor Trials and Championships saw Met-Track coaches steal the limelight, as they showed their charges just what can be achieved with a little hard work.

The event, held in the English Institute of Sport's indoor arena, in Sheffield, saw James Ellington soar into the final of the 60 metres sprint with a lifetime best performance in the semi-final of 6.69 seconds. James has been coaching Met-Track sessions ever since the launch in 2005, and currently champions sessions in Sutton Borough, Newham and Lewisham. The hotly-contested final in Sheffield was won by Dwain Chambers, and saw James finish a slightly disappointing sixth. That said, the fact that only seven months earlier he had suffered a potentially career-ending injury, put that into perspective, and heralded one of the most dramatic comebacks in athletics!

In the Long Jump JJ Jegede, the UK's number one at the event so far in 2011, will be cursing his luck in the final, as his 7.52 metre jump was overhauled late in the competition to edge him into the silver medal position. JJ has been working on Met-Track for over 2 years now, and currently leads the Hackney scheme, although he has also worked in the past in Barking & Dagenham, Waltham Forest and Barnet.

The longer sprint is not usually a championship event due to the fact that the indoor bends in the 200 metres are too tight to make it unfair on those drawn on the inside. Scheme Manager Jason Hussain was therefore very happy when he saw that he had drawn lane six in his heat, and duly delivered his fastest time of the season by far with a blistering 21.64 second effort.

However, Jason was pipped by just three hundredths of a second to first place, and hence was awarded the fastest loser's berth in the next round, albeit in his first ever national final, but duly inherited the dreaded inside lane! The bends mean he has to slow significantly twice during the race, and so he remained in sixth place with a time of 22.29 seconds, albeit tantalisingly close to the next two competitors in lanes two and three!

Jason, a former Great Britain Junior International, has been working as Scheme Manager for Met-Track for over three years now, and is responsible for much of its development and the whole of the day to day running of the project across the whole of London.

Met-Track Scheme Director John Powell, who was in Sheffield in his role as coach to both Hussain and Ellington, said: "These guys are seriously talented athletes, but they are ding an invaluable job for Met-Track. They are excellent role models for the young people they work with, and of course the bonus is that the albeit small considerations Met-Track is able to pay them, do help with maintaining their own highly intensive training programmes. It's immensely satisfying to be able to deliver something that has a double benefit like this to people who might otherwise not be able to pursue their goals in life, let alone the benefits young Londoners glean from engaging with us in the first place."

Hammersmith and Fulham borough all set to join the fun, along with a Royal Parks initiative.

2011-02-02T11:22:00.001-08:00

Plans are now well advanced to launch the 24th and 25th schemes in London, with Hammersmith and Fulham borough all set to join the fun, along with a Royal Parks initiative.

The month of March is fast becoming a very busy month for the project, with Hammersmith looking to launch on 27/28th, and the Parks project a week earlier. Details have yet to be finally confirmed, but Hammersmith will be looking to launch their Met-Track initiative at the famous Linford Christie Stadium, in West London, while the Parks will be setting up base in Regents Park.

The Royal Parks have long wanted to join the fray, combining with both Camden and Westminster boroughs in seeking youth engagement agency partnerships. Again there has been immense support from local services, and this will be a unique scheme available to young Londoners right in the centre of the Capital.

Hammersmith's launch has been coordinated by Police Community Support Officer Mel McClure, who has pout an immense amount of work into making things happen out west, not least in raising all the funds to support it.

Scheme Director, John Powell, said: "I am delighted we have another two schemes launching this year. We have launched in 23 boroughs to date, although a couple of those have stalled since, so this will enable us to continue to hover around the 20-22 mark of active schemes, which is terrific."

The project continues to thrive all over London despite the challenging weather conditions of late. "Obviously our schemes that are based in schools carry on regardless," said John, "but even those outdoor projects at tracks around London have continued into the New Year. As Spring approaches we can usually expect an upturn in attendance."

Met-Track is currently collating its 2010 returns, and the subsequent evaluation is likely to again reflect an 85% non-re offending rate among participants.

MET-TRACK XMAS UPDATE!

2010-12-27T05:13:00.000-08:00

Met-Track coaches will be getting very little time off during the Christmas and New Year period, with the vast majority of squads continuing as normal at their regular venues. Schools academies will of course be suspended until the new term in January, but most other activities offer a potentially welcome break from Christmas pudding and the TV.

Met-Track Scheme Manager Jason Hussain said: "We wish everyone who is associated with Met-Track a really happy Christmas and New Year period, but we don't want them to lose focus on what they may already have achieved with their local squad.

"Most centres are open for our normal activities," he continued, "and we really don't want people to lose that valuable momentum they have built up during the Autumn. And of course anyone new who would like to try out with us is more than welcome to turn up at their local squad."

Met-Track Scheme Director, John Powell, endorsed Jason's words: "We do tend to see a bit of a falling away of attendances after a holiday period, so we want to encourage as many of the young Londoners engaged with the scheme to keep going through the Christmas period. We wil be carrying out the end of year evaluation of the scheme at the beginning of next month, and we want to maximise the benefits that have been delivered to Londoners during 2010 right up to the last day of the year."

Squads affected by Christmas or New Year closures are:

Newham - 24th December and 31st December - no squad session
Sutton - 27th December - no squad session
Waltham Forest - 27th December and 3rd January - no squad session

All Met-Track squads and school academies recommence as normal in the second week of January.

Watch this website for news of launches of two new schemes in London early in 2011...

Met-Track continues to churn out young people into sport

2010-11-29T08:51:00.000-08:00

Met-Track continues to churn out young people into sport and various other positive pathways in life, thanks to its now hugely diverse menu of options on offer to young Londoners who engage with the project. But 17-year-old Omardo Anson, from the Bexley and Westminster scheme, has gone one stage further than that!
Omardo, from Abbey Wood, in South East London, and who attended Bexleyheath School until this summer - he now attends Greenwich Community College - has been to Met-Track sessions at Bexley and Westminster under the guidance of coaches Dwayne Grant, James Ellington and Gus Ebhohinhem-Ben. But now he's training with Olympic sprinter Grant, and European gold medallist Ellington, with a potential sprints future!
Met-Track Scheme Director John Powell took Omardo on as the newest recruit to his elite Trackspeed1 training group, based at Crystal Palace, and the 17-year-old wasted no time in grabbing the opportunity with both hands. Already his performances have impressed his new coach, and he has picked off quite a few senior scalps in training.
"Omardo is running well," confirmed John, "but it is his dedication that most impresses for someone so raw in the sport. He really works hard and is really keen. He pleaded with us to be included in our Spring training camp in the United States, and I eventually gave in - his face was a picture! The thing is, I really do think he could be a dark horse next summer. He's incredibly raw, but once he learns some basic skills, he could do quite well."
Met-Track is all about engagement and getting young people back on the straight and narrow though - not necessarily recruit future athletics stars, but Omardo has achieved all of this in one. He first entered Met-Track three years ago. He was a problem at home, in with the wrong crowd, crossing paths with police, and heading in totally the wrong direction in life.
"When I got into Met-Track everything started changing," said Omardo. "I found I really enjoyed training, and it gave me loads of confidence I didn't have before. It taught me self discipline for the first time in my life, and really calmed me down. My mum was really pleased too, because my school work got better, my behaviour at home improved, and we got on with each other much better. It was incredible how getting involved in sport changed my life. I am so grateful to Gus and the other coaches for helping me - I have no idea where I'd be if it weren't for Met-Track."
As for his trip to America in Spring 2011, Omardo is still pinching himself: "I can barely believe what's happening," he said. "This is all through me getting involved in Met-Track. Now I'm training with international athletes, and will be training for four weeks in one of the best facilities in the States!"
Met-Track coach Gus Ebhohinhem-Ben said: "Omardo improved greatly with us, but most importantly his level of engagement got steadily better. You could see him changing from week to week."
"This is exactly what Met-Track is all about," continued John Powell, "there is a wealth of evidence now that shows how we are changing the lives of hundreds of young Londoners like Omardo."

U-Turn1 & Bexley partnership

2010-10-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

Met-Track have again teamed up as the lead partner with 'U-Turn1', a Bexley partnership of youth engagement agencies and education leads, delivering a unique but challenging scheme aimed at preventing and reducing knife crime on the borough.

It is based on the Juvenile Impact Programme witnessed by Met-Track Scheme Director and Scheme Manager John Powell and Jason Hussain, darting a visit to Los Angeles Police Department 2 years ago where they were so impressed with the results that they offered it to the South East London project as best practice.

U-Turn1 represents a challenging and rigorous course for young people already identified as having been involved in knife crime. It is intended to make those taking part more aware of themselves and the impact they can have on themselves, their family, friends, and the people around them.

It is formatted into two distinct parts. There is multi-agency input from a variety of sources including role models, various branches of law enforcement and prevention agencies, and diverse forums conducted by external organisations, education practitioners and youth leaders. The other half of the project is delivered by Met-Track sports coaches and staff from the local Charlton Athletic Community Trust, introducing sport as the healthier alternative for life in accordance with Met-Track's mission statement.

The coaches working with 16 young people over an initial week, followed by 12 follow-up days, have already noticed significant improvement in attitudes and engagement, and even simply after the initial week, some impressive changes had already taken place in the individuals taking part.

"The value of a scheme like this cannot be underestimated," said Scheme Director John Powell. "It simply proves just how much of an impact sport can have on a young life. It inspires confidence, promotes fun, and leads to positive thinking. I can only appeal to all local authorities in Met-Track boroughs to recognise this and promote engagement in the scheme - the benefits to the public purse, let alone the safety of Londoners, is simply quite phenomenal."

MET-TRACK Coach Strikes Gold in Delhi

2010-10-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

Met-Track coach Tosin Oke underlined just the sort of class act the scheme's coaches represent as he stormed to gold in the recent Commonwealth Games Triple Jump final, in Delhi, India. He leapt 17.19 metres to clinch the title ahead of a classy field whilst representing his native Nigeria.

Tosin has become one of Met-Track's leading coaches over the past couple of years, and has worked in various boroughs around London, not least Hillingdon where he is the lead coach, and Westminster, where he works alongside colleague and French international sprinter, Gus Ebhohinhem-Ben.

"We were all delighted to hear about Tosin's victory," said Met' Police Superintendent and Met-Track Scheme Director, John Powell. He has always been a classy athlete, but unique in that he works hard in his spare time to put back into the community what he has gained from his many years involvement with track and field.

"I have vivid memories of watching Tosin win the European Junior triple jump title, and he has continued to build his career ever since. He is a clear candidate for London 2012 now."

Tosin returns to his Met-Track stables in both boroughs this week where he will be looking to further motivate his charges with sight of his gold medal.

"Tosin has scored some very notable successes with the young people he has been working with," said Met-Track Scheme Manager, Jason Hussain. "He is a great coach, and now an even greater role model."

Met-Track - school 'academies'

2010-09-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

As September kicks in and the schools go back for another term, Met-Track looks forward to getting back into full swing after its school 'academies' also took a break for summer. Existing academies will restart this month, and new ones including a new launch in Haringey Borough will add to the immense success these sessions have already produced. Scheme Manager Jason Hussain said: "Although a couple of boroughs have stalled a little, the overall trend within Met-Track is one of expansion, and the recent evaluations underline just how much value we are delivering all over London." Met-Track's mid-year evaluation found that a good 86% of young people engaging with the scheme are not re-entering the criminal justice system, and a good many more have improved behavioral traits and have a far more positive future. Scheme Director John Powell said: "There is a potentially very exciting future ahead for Met-Track. We are a major partner for the innovative U-Turn1 project in Bexley quite apart from all our other activities, and our reputation is growing by the day. "The only warning hot I have to make, however, is that financially we need a major injection from somewhere, or we will struggle to sustain the current momentum. A bid for money from a fund recently launched by the Mayor of London would give us long term sustainability, but that application has a way to go yet before we are even short-listed."

MET-TRACK GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

2010-08-04T04:11:00.000-07:00

As the mid-point of 2010 has come and gone, Met-Track is already looking back on another highly illustrious year in its five-year history.

The scheme launched on its 23rd borough in June, with Redbridge coming on board, where two schemes now operate. One is a standard borough scheme, and the other a scheme specifically intended for young people already on the local Youth Offending Team radar. And coach Mark Awanah says its going really well:

"They all love it, and you can see it's having a positive impact," he said. "I haven't been working on Met-Track very long, and the difference it makes to young lives is quite amazing"

The concept of schools 'Academies' has caught on, with two now active in Bromley, and a new one at Woolwich Polytechnic in Thamesmead (Greenwich). Another is developing well in Barking, and some are in the advanced stages of planning for when the new term begins in September.

"In some boroughs we've found that getting young people to traipse down to the local track is a bit of a challenge when the track isn't easily accessible," explained Scheme Manager Jason Hussain, "so we've partnered local schools. It's a double win for us, because not only are the young people already on site, but the teaching staff can identify those most likely to benefit from Met-Track, in keeping with our mission statement and aims and objectives."

Met-Track was also the major partner in delivering a day's sport for young people in East London in the 'Citysafe Games', and has seen its coaches being drafted in to special events all over the Capital. And the recruitment of 16-year-old David Bolarinwa as the healthy face / role model for Met-Track has topped off a superb six months despite the freezing start with snow and ice back in January.

David is completely converted to the cause, and says that he has no idea where he would be if it weren't for sport. He runs for TeamGB in Singapore later this month (August) in the World Youth Olympics 100 metres, having won the European title in May. The Woolwich Poly Academy is his own secondary school.

"Times are tough right now," said Scheme Director John Powell, "but the fact that the vast majority of boroughs are finding the funding to sustain and re-energise their scheme every year is testament to the value of Met-Track. We are still topping and tailing the mid-year evaluations, but it looks as if the figure of 80% of young people not offending or reoffending after engagement with the scheme has risen since January, and that really is some achievement!"

Ealing Borough Commander puts on his running shoes.

2010-07-21T07:46:00.001-07:00

Ealing Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Sultan Taylor, put on his running shoes and raced to Perivale Athletics Track to present an £8300 cheque to Ealing Met-Track recently. He visited the track to donate the funds that will go a long way toward perpetuating the scheme in the West London borough for the next year and beyond.

The funding comes from a special Prisoner Fund and will cover Met Track's weekly running costs as well as providing financial backing towards putting 22 youngsters on the 'Star Track' scheme designated for those who attend training regularly.

After presenting the cheque, Mr Taylor said: 'I am impressed how well our police officers and police staff worked on this project. I hope that a lot of these young athletes will become role models in the future to make Ealing the safest borough in London.' Ealing Safer Schools Officer PC McGuigan has been the lynchpin of the local scheme, which was launched over two years ago. It has continued to grow ever since.

He said: 'It is fantastic to see school children from all over the Borough who might other wise be hanging around on the streets or on their estates getting fit and participating in sport.'

Anyone wishing to participate can just turn up at the squad sessions that run at Perivale Athletics Track every Thursday 4:30-6pm and are completely free. Further information can be obtained from the borough's squad page on this site (click on the map).

MET-TRACK INHERITS 2012 STAMP OF APPROVALMET-TRACK INHERITS 2012 STAMP OF APPROVAL

2010-07-21T07:42:00.001-07:00

Met-Track has received a huge boost after London 2012 endorsed the scheme by awarding them their prestigious 'Inspire Mark'. It recognises Met-Track's innovative style in bringing new opportunities to young Londoners in the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, using London's hosting of the biggest show on earth as a source of inspiration for young people to engage in sport.

The adoption of the Inspire logo will gradually infiltrate all of Met-Track's marketing material and will appear on this website, which itself will undergo a major refit over coming weeks. It all combines to put Met-Track at the forefront of the many youth sports schemes emerging around the Capital.

In return Met-Track will promote at every opportunity the long established ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. London 2012's Get Set programme for young people to be inspired by the Games shares many of the values held within the Met-Track environment, among which are:

Developing communication skills and social understanding;
Helping young people eat well, get active, and feel good;
Inspiring more young people to get involved in sport;
Inspiring young people to take practical learning pathways.

Met-Track Scheme Director, John Powell said: "This is a ringing endorsement of all that we are about in Met-Track, and I am delighted that we have succeeded in acquiring this mark. It will perpetuate the synergy we already had with the whole London 2012 deal in getting young people into healthy lifestyles through sport. We will display the mark on all our material as the new versions are published with a great deal of pride."