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.