Sports stars to honour young people at City Hall

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HIGH PROFILE GUEST: Christine Ohuruogu

OLYMPIC CHAMPION Christine Ohuruogu is one of many stars who will present an award at an event recognising the success of young people at the City Hall.

The 400 metres sprinter, former world Triple jump champion Phillips Idowu and other sporting VIPs will present the ?S Factor? (Sport Factor) award in City Hall, where the office of London?s Mayor is located, on February 22.

The award is the brainchild of top GB, Commonwealth and Junior Champion Athlete, Lisa Miller, who is now director of the S Factor Academy. The Academy uses athletics to engage children from disadvantaged areas.

The academy, which Miller first launched in Lewisham, south London in 2011, now has 200 members, 35 of whom will be handed an award ?based on their performance?.
The scheme will be rolled out to Hackney by the end of summer, she said.

AWARDS: Lisa Miller with Phillips Idowu

The 30-year-old said she set up the scheme after an injury ended her career. She said she didn?t get sufficient help and had no other career to fall back on. She wants to ensure that other young athletes have different career choices apart from sports.

?It?s not just a place for them to come and train and try to be professional athletes. It?s a place for children to get educational skills as well,? she said.

?We pretty much use athletics as a tool to engage kids in other areas such as finding work placement, work experience and BTEC courses. We look at the holistic approach to developing rounded youths.?

She said: ?The award is basically a celebration of the athletes, volunteers and coaches achievement over the year of 2012?.

To get tickets for the event: http://www.sfactoracademy.co.uk/

Source: http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/sports-stars-honour-young-people-city-hall

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