EXTRA cash to encourage youngsters to get involved in physical education and sport is coming to Bury.

The English Sports Council has confirmed a grant of £45,000 to appoint a Youth Sport Development Officer to help get a Youth Sport Development Initiative off the ground.

The project will support all school children in Bury through a National Junior Sport Programme, creating and sustaining links the sporting community and the education sector.

Comprehensive training packages will be set up for coaches teachers and volunteers to co-ordinate the programme.

Bury's sports spokesman, Cllr Warren Flood, said: "As a council we have shown our commitment to this programme by making funding available for the scheme and towards the cost of staffing.

"We feel it is essential to encourage young people from an early age not only to get involved in the activities, but to enjoy being involved. The National Junior Sport Programme is designed to do just that and it will also mean that teachers in our schools will receive expert training in order to develop their own coaching expertise."

The National Junior Schools Sports Programme is already well established in other areas of the North West. Primary schools will receive resources worth around £500 each, as well as training support for teachers.

Organisers say the scheme should be fully operational in schools by January 1999.

Cllr Flood added: "We feel that the project is an important step forward.

"It will encourage the development of sporting skills and participation by young people which very much supports the Borough's Youth Strategy.

"Also it should provide us with further opportunities to apply for other grants which will benefit older children and local citizens."

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