London Evening Standard Reports On MET-TRACK!

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

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.

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

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

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

(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.