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."
