Education: Children chasing dream of being next Usain Bolt
IT IS a chilly morning but that is not stopping a group of youngsters from racing round the track, jumping into sand and doing a whole load of warm up exercises.
This is the Saturday morning Birchfield AGA Academy where youngsters aged between nine and 15 learn the different sports that make up athletics.
Taking place at the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr and with well over 100 youngsters on a good day, the Academy is helping children not only learn a new sport but also take part in weekly exercise, improve their fitness and meet new friends.
Launched in 1992, originally as FIKIDZ, it is run today by a trio of volunteers – Andy Paul, Ann McEvoy and Ann’s son Mark. Each week they turn out to put the youngsters through their paces – both indoors and out.
“The Academy aims to give children the opportunity to learn all of the disciplines of athletics as not all the schools have the time to do that,” says Ann.
“At this level we make sure the children learn all of the activities – running, jump, throw, fitness. They can go on to specialise when they are older.
“Each child is assigned an individual coach to make sure they are getting an all-round experience. And they gain a lot from the chance to try all of the different activities. They may come with the idea they want to be a sprinter but they then discover they enjoy some of the other skills as well.”
And the weekly injection of exercise helps them with other hobbies and fitness activities.
“Quite a few of the children do other sports as well such as swimming or rugby and we hope the Academy gives them a more rounded approach to sport,” says Ann. “We also make sure we are encouraging healthy eating and an understanding of the importance of fitness.”
The run-up to the 2012 Olympics in London looks likely to encourage more children to give athletics a go.
“We always have an increase in interest when there is a major sporting event,” says Ann. “Whenever we have the Olympics or the World Championships the numbers are higher.”
The youngsters also have the chance to gain medals and certificates to match their own individual levels. And while for some the group is simply a hobby, for others it may mark the beginning of a life-long love of athletics.
“Some of the athletes who have come through here have gone on to compete at national level,” says Mark. “We have had members who feed into the Young Athletes League and the National Cup.
“And they may see the national athletes who give them inspiration. I remember Denise Lewis being here after she won gold at the Olympics and the children were so excited.”
One youngster who manages a bit of celeb-spotting is 13-year-old Connor McGill who joined the Academy three months ago.
“A few weeks ago we saw Philip Idowu and Kelly Sotherton,” says Connor, a pupil at St Edmund Campion School in Erdington. “The reason I wanted to come here was because I was inspired by Usain Bolt when I saw him on the television.
“I came and did the summer school here for three weeks and they suggested I come for an induction day and I really liked it.
“I like the fact that I can meet my mates and see famous athletes. And I have definitely improved all-round since I started. I feel I am a lot better runner and I feel much more confident about what I can do.
“When I first came I really wanted to do running but now I also like the hurdles and the pole vault, they are both really good.”
Also joining earlier this autumn was 14-year-old Romario Ellis, a pupil at King Edward VI School in Aston.
“When I heard about it I thought it would be a good opportunity to try other sports apart from football which is what I usually do,” he says.
“When I started I was decent but I have really improved in three months. I think that coming every week really benefits you. I had only ever thought of football before but I think I have a natural talent for athletics.
“I like to do the hurdles, the sprint and the pole vault but I am not so good at things like the discus and the javelin.”
Romario has high hopes of following his sporting heroes.
“I watch the athletics on the television and really like Philip Idowu and Dwain Chambers,” he says. “I would love to go into a national team and to be on television.”
Twelve-year-old Daisy Bowater, who joined the Academy when she was nine, also sees athletics as her dream ticket.
“I would love to be part of the Olympics and to be famous,” says Daisy, a pupil at City Technical College in Kingshurst.
“I wanted to do some different things. I did a lot of other sports like swimming, dancing and netball but now I can also do running, long jump, hurdle, javelin and other things.
“I like coming here because it is really good fun and you make lots of friends. And I have improved loads because when I first came I couldn’t run a complete lap of the track but now I can run five without stopping.”
Daisy’s enthusiasm rubbed off on her younger sister Clio Bowater, aged nine, who started attending the group about a month ago.
“I wanted to come because I like running and because my sister was coming every week and said it was good,” says Clio, a pupil at Water Orton Primary School.
“I like it very much because we get to do lots of running and all sorts of things which I couldn’t do before. I do swimming and dancing as well. It is good to do sport as it keeps you fit and healthy.”
The Birchfield AGA Academy holds induction days once every six weeks with the next one planned for Saturday January 16. Potential new recruits need to arrive at the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr at 9.15-9.30am dressed in tracksuit and trainers. The induction morning costs £3.50.
If youngsters choose to stay on, they pay a weekly fee of £3.50 but are expected to join by the next induction day when they pay £30 a year with weekly subs dropping to £3.
Founder Andy Paul adds the Academy is an entry route for youngsters who go on to join Birchfield Harriers’ week night activities for older children.
“Our Saturday morning Academy acts as the positive first experience for all youngsters from nine to 15,” he says. We have also recruited a number of parent volunteers from this over the years – a number of whom actually stay involved longer than their kids.
“A number of kids come in, stay for a while, drop out, then return when older. Either route is fine by us as long as we continue to offer a session that offers skill development alongside physical conditioning that demonstrates the athleticism that underpins the sport and helps all sports – run, jump and throw.”
* For more information contact 0121 344 4858 or email b.harriers@btconnect.com
