TWO Henley College students could get a chance to referee at the London Olympics in 2012.
Sam Peris and Matt Pritchard both impressed at last month’s UK Youth Games in Cardiff when they officiated the badminton.
They were told that they will be considered to take part in the All England tournament in February and the European Championships in Manchester in April which could lead to a place at the London Olympics in 2012.
Matt, 17, who lives in St Leonards Close, Watlington, said: “Cardiff was really good. Sam and I were team leaders for the day and in control of five line judges.
“The officials said they were pleased with how we had performed.”
Matt, who is studying for A-levels in biology, PE and ICT, also coaches, along with Sam, the Oxford U15 girls’ rugby team.
He lives with dad Phil, a biology consultant, and mum Valerie, who works for a mapping company, and has one sister, Victoria, 19, who is studying at Cardiff University. He wants to become a police officer when he finishes his studies but says he wants to keep up his coaching.
Said Matt: “It would be amazing to be at the Olympics. It would be a great experience to see the players and different cultures.”
Sam, 17, is studying for a sport and science exercise diploma and he said the college has given him an “amazing opportunity”.
He said: “Last year during February half term I did a course in badminton officiating and it has gone on from there.
“It’s enjoyable and I will never get this chance again, it’s an amazing opportunity. All this has happened so fast but at the same time I have enjoyed every moment of it.”
Sam lives in Chalgrove with mum Clare, dad Mark, and 13-year-old sister Maddy. He coaches Maddy in rugby. He said: “The course is great because my name sticks out at the college and people look at me as a guy to follow.”
The duo are products of the Henley College Leadership Academy, a status it received last year through the Youth Sports Trust with help from the South Oxfordshire Schools Partnership and the Oxfordshire Schools Partnership.
Last November, coaching courses were run in kwick cricket, tag rugby, high-five netball and badminton.
There are also coaching awards run in football, rugby, rowing and basketball as part of the college sports development programme.
More than 60 students were involved in the November courses and then enrolled onto the Youth Sports Trust Step-into-Sport Volunteer passport programme which gives them an opportunity to gain credit for the voluntary work that they do.
Published on 30 November 2009
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