YOUTH SPORT - Learning the ropes

The School of Emerging Talent (SET) took to the trees last week to celebrate the end of its first year of existence at Glenbervie.
The fun day spent climbing around on ropes suspended above the forest floor was a fitting end to the year. The general consensus was that the youngsters have all come a long way.
Footballer Tom Taylor said his game had definitely improved throughout the year.
"That's mainly because I've been working hard on my core training," Taylor said.
He is quicker to the ball and that makes a big difference.
"It all helps and of course I'm stronger as well and that's helped, especially playing against the men (in senior football), which allows you compete physically better."
Taylor is keen on returning to the school next year, but has yet to secure the funding - he is also hopeful of earning a trial with an English club next year.
He plays central midfield for the young North Force reserve side and has made a couple of appearances for the senior side as a substitute.
"I'll be playing for the reserves again this year and maybe I'll get a few more runs for the first team," he said.
The school's director of education, Sharyn Thomas said the school's first year has been a success, but was not without teething problems for both the teaching staff and the students.
"It's been a huge learning curve for us because things that you think are going to work don't, and things you don't think will work really take off," she said.
The students have been exposed to opportunities that they might not have struck in normal secondary education.
"We've had lots of motivational speakers and many of the kids would probably say that those have been the things that have influenced them the most.
"It's also about being part of a group of kids like this who have similar goals. They're all out there to win and want to give everything a go and experience things they're not the best at," she said.
Some senior students will be leaving next year, but there has been plenty of interest in the course with Thomas expecting the school's roll to rise by a third by the beginning of next year.
"At the moment it looks as though we'll get around the maximum of 35. But they are still getting people applying, and interviewing applicants."