Athletics: Snell Institute picks athletes of promise

By DAVE WORSLEY

Ten high school students from low-decile schools and low-income families have been given an opportunity to gain entry into sport and access to top coaching.

The students, aged 14 and 15, were awarded development scholarships from the Peter Snell Institute of Sport after a talent search and will take part in one of three sports - athletics, cycling or rowing.

The scholarship are sponsored by Work and Income (Auckland central region) through the Positive Youth Development in Sport and Education Project.

The project's focus has been on Maori and Pacific Island students from poorer schools and families.

The aim is to encourage teenagers who have the right physical qualities to become involved in a sport where they will get good coaching. The institute's talent identification programme sets out to find them.

The scholarships will also provide mentoring for the students and their families and encourage the development of their education. Valerie Adams, the Manchester Commonwealth Games shot put silver medallist, who is still a teenager, was guest of honour at the award ceremony.

The recipients are Siosifa Fonua, Tamaki College; Juanessa Hamo, Mt Albert Grammar; Ben Hema, Tamaki College; Lisa Marii, Tamaki College; Aleki Morse, Lynfield College; Jacinta Natua Pelasio, Tamaki College; Antonio Stowers, Tamaki College; Inoke Tanginoa, St Paul's College; Rasela Taula, Selwyn College; and Soane Tiseli, Tamaki College.

Robbie Johnston of the Peter Snell Institute said: "The scholarships mean that fees are covered and the teenagers have every opportunity to get involved in sport. They are all pretty excited about it."

The talent search tested the youngsters on fitness and the attributes required for sporting development. The 10 scholarship students rated as the top performers with the physical attributes.