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!"
