The Jaguar Academy of Sport is inspiring the next generation of British sporting champions. It is a new initiative to help the sports stars of the future reach their potential.

Launched in March 2010, the Jaguar Academy recognises, celebrates and inspires the very best of British sporting talent and success. A Bursary Fund is provided for the budding athletes to support new British sporting talent.

The athletes have been drawn from all over the country, representing a total of 36 sporting disciplines ranging from athletics and cycling through to fencing and modern pentathlon.

The 50 young athletes were chosen after a rigorous selection process conducted by SportsAid, which administers the Bursary Fund on behalf of the Jaguar Academy. The Patrons and Ambassadors of the Jaguar Academy of Sport include some of the nation’s most successful sportsmen and women including David Beckham, Sir Chris Hoy and Jessica Ennis and they were all integral to this process.

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This is the second year that the Academy of Sport has supported a unique set of Rising Stars and it has so far donated over £200,000 to inspire the next generation of British champions – making a tangible difference to the future of British sport.

The academy doesn’t only support the youngsters with financial support but it also nurtures and inspires them to be the best athletes they possibly can. A Mentoring and Education Programme provides all the Rising Stars with all the support they need which is provided through a selection of workshops and talent days focusing on key areas that will help young athletes move from talented to elite.

Patrons and Ambassadors include Denise Lewis, Gareth Edwards, Jamie Baulch, Colin Jackson and Tim Henman who are all there to help inspire and guide this new generation.

Kelly Holmes’ involvement

Kelly Holmes (pictured above right) has been involved with the program since it began and is part of the panel of experts who aim to move the academy forward and provide as much help and support as possible. She also holds workshops for the young athletes offering the advice and encouragement they need.

“It is great to once again see so much sporting talent in one room and a real pleasure to be working with the 2011 Rising Stars. The Mentoring and Education Programme which is provided to the Jaguar Academy of Sport Rising Stars is truly unique to the initiative and a great support alongside the bursary.”

Kelly emphasises that this programme is not just about the physical check. “From the day everyone is brought here, they get different gifts and they get one-on-one advice which you can’t really pay for. They receive various amounts, anything from £1000-£2000 pounds within any one year, but if you think about the mentor support package and other opportunities they get, you’re looking at anything up to £5,000-£6,000 or above.”

When Kelly began her sporting career, she had to rely on the help and support of family, friends, her coach and her school, which is why she is so enthusiastic about the academy. Kelly is keen to give the young athletes the advice that they need. Some of which can only come from other athletes who have learnt from their own mistakes.

“We look at injury prevention, rehabilitation, financial planning, lifestyle management. They’re all at an age now where they are either at school or university, so again there’s that education issue: how do I cope with having the potential and being a normal teenager? We try to cover aspects that we know affect them currently and we also work with parents, which I think is very key to this learning, to make the parents understand the process that the kids are going through so that they’re the back up.”

The rising star

Jessica Mitchell is one of the lucky rising stars who has been fortunate enough to hear Kelly’s words of wisdom and all the fantastic benefits the academy has to offer.

“Kelly Holmes, she’s a real inspiration and I have her autobiography at home and I read it quite a lot. It’s really surreal that I’m actually in the same room as all the mentors, it’s really helpful that they’re here and they answer questions that we have and they teach us about performing well and preparing for competition.”

Jessica is a diver who was picked out in primary school as a potential diver. She had a natural talent and a background in gymnastics so she was put on a fast-track programme. Last year she qualified first for Junior Elites which is level 4 diving, just one level below the Olympics

Jessica loves her sport and is trying her hardest to achieve what she can.

“It’s exciting because you get to learn lots of new dives. It’s also challenging because you do long hours but fun too because you get to use the harnesses and trampolines and dry boards as well as going in the pool.”

Monica Scott, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine