大象传媒

England Athletics in Yorkshire & Humberside has launched a new campaign to recruit more volunteer coaches in Sheffield to help improve local athletes' chances of Olympic success - and they need your help.

Why not start 2008 by giving something back to your local community, helping youngsters to get active and excel at athletics?听

You don't have to be an experienced athlete, all you need is a positive attitude with strong communication skills, and be willing to dedicate a few hours a week of your time.听

England Athletics, the organisation responsible for improving the performance of local athletes and increasing the capacity, is aiming to bring in 720 new coaches across the region in 2008.听

They will partner each new volunteer coach with a local school or athletic club and provide guidance on training.听 Funding from supporters CE Electric UK, the National Sports Foundation and Sportsmatch make it possible for coaches to be subsidised so you are not out of pocket.

Krissy Monaghan

Krissy Monaghan听from England Athletics talked to 大象传媒 Radio Sheffield about the scheme.

Krissy said, "Volunteers are the life blood of our sport, without them doing the coaching and the officiating our athletes wouldn't have the chance to succeed". " This is a way of helping young people directly in positive activity".

Volunteers are needed to help out with the growing success of the various sports clubs across South Yorkshire as more and more young people get involved in sport. Athletics England are looking for people not only to help out with the coaching but also to help out with things like administration and serving at the tuck shops during the club nights.

"No experience is necessary as training will be provided; we are just looking for people who are passionate about working with young people," Krissy added.

Trevor Fox, from Barnsley is a volunteer pole vaulting coach and he is currently coaching two people who are tipped for the Olympics.

His job involves driving the athletes to and from various meetings and training sessions and mentoring the young people to make sure they stay focused on their aims.