MET-TRACK GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

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.

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

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."