YOUNGSTERS are aiming to hit the heights after a new trampoline club was started at their school.
And if that wasn't enough to have them bouncing with excitement, they are receiving tuition from top trampolinist Gary Short.
The new club has been set up for Year 7 and 8 students at Harton Technology College, South Shields. It was launched in resp
onse to feedback from the Big Bang, a South Tyneside Council event held in October.
Sessions were organised by the authority's youth support service, together with its extended schools team, to give youngsters the chance to try out different activities over their half-term holiday.
Activities arranged included dance, drumming, DJ mixing and sports.
Follow-up consultations re-vealed trampolining was one of the most popular sessions, so the college has set up the new club to cater for that demand.
It is being run by Sam Fox, from the council's sports development team.
The first session took place last week and proved extremely popular, with more than 40 pupils attending.
Gary Short, who has represented Great Britain began his coaching this week. Coun Jim Foreman, the council's lead member for lifelong learning and leisure, said: "It is fantastic that we were able to give young people the opportunity to try out different sports and activities that they would not normally get the chance to do.
"This has proved a great success and has highlighted a desire for non-traditional activities such as trampolining to be provided on a regular basis.
"Our sports development team is constantly working hard to try and get more and more youngsters involved in all types of sports and activities that they enjoy.
"It is great to see this new club being set up to meet the demands of young people.
"If they enjoy exercise, they are far more likely to stick with it, bringing great benefits for their health and well-being – and, with the Olympics six years away, who knows?"
By LEAH SHAW
leah.shaw@northeast-press.co.uk
