A SCHOOLBOY is taking the lead in North East Lincolnshire to work alongside the world's sporting stars.
Sam Moore, 15, of Ormiston Maritime Academy, is one of only 20 young people across the country to be selected onto the Unlocking Potential programme this year – developed jointly by AQA and the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust.
Sam was nominated onto the scheme by the academy's special education needs co-ordinator, Wendy Taylor.
Mrs Taylor has worked closely with the Year 11 pupil, who has overcome various medical conditions throughout his school life.
She described him on the application form as showing "determination through adversity" and says the school is "very proud to have their first ever pupil on the programme".
Unlocking Potential is designed for youngsters to overcome personal challenges and go on to make a difference in their local communities.
In addition, the 20 chosen onto the scheme receive a mentor from the sporting world – Sam's mentor is international rugby star Paul Broadbent.
Sam said: "After understanding more about what the programme is, I have decided I would like to plan and lead a sports event for primary school children in the area.
"I will be working with Paul over the next seven months, in-between my school exams, and will have three trips to London as part of the scheme."
Sam has already made his first visit to London to meet other mentors and young people chosen.
His next visit will be on April 29, where he will put his idea forward to others, then on October 3, Sam will make a final trip for a celebration event.
Sam said: "I am excited to start planning my idea with Paul. I am really grateful for being chosen onto this programme.
"I enjoy sports but due to my health I have been unable to get involved, I am seeing this as an opportunity of doing something different with my passion."
Paul said: "The idea is to make him aware of his own potential and show that he can achieve great things if he has confidence and belief in himself.
"Hopefully at the end of the seven months Sam will hold a sporting event in the area either as a one off or it could turn into a regular thing for primary school children."
Paul Broadbent bio A rugby league career spanning 17 years, he represented England and Great Britain, playing over 450 first grade games for teams including Sheffield Eagles, Halifax, Hull and Wakefield. Academically challenged, Paul found sport to be the one school subject he enjoyed. Introduced to rugby at 11 years old, Paul found his sporting passion. He was not as naturally gifted as some of his teammates and had to train hard to improve and compete with more talented players, but his passion and commitment to the game shone through. He signed up with Sheffield Eagles aged 19 as a part-time player, he then became a full time schools coach, whilst still training in the evenings with the team. In 1996 when Rugby Super League was formed, Paul was eventually given the opportunity to be a full time professional rugby player. Paul believes it was his work ethic, desire and commitment to making the best of himself that helped him achieve this. He has toured Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea with England and Great Britain, gaining 15 international caps. After 11 years with Sheffield Paul left to spend a year with Halifax, two years with Hull, and then a year with Wakefield.
What is the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust? Dame Kelly Holmes wanted to create a legacy from her athletics career that would benefit the young people who look up to, and are inspired by elite sports performers like herself. Having seen first hand the difference that world class sports performers can make to kids' lives, Dame Kelly set up her own charity, the DKH Legacy Trust. Its mission is to get young lives on track. Uniquely, every young person that the Trust supports has the chance to work with, be inspired by, and learn from the experience of world class sports stars. Across the programmes, athletes inspire, motivate and support young people. They engage, enable and empower them to go on to make positive changes in their own lives.
