STUDENTS have proved themselves good sports in an initiative designed to develop their skills.

Volunteers from Northallerton College have been sharing their sporting prowess with younger children, clocking up their hours towards bronze, silver and gold awards.

As part of the national Step into Sport project, the students have been coaching younger children, some with special needs, in sports ranging from tennis, hockey and fencing to athletics, rugby and football.

Several of the students have already achieved their 50 hours bronze award while others have achieved silver for 100 and are on the way to the 200 hour gold mark.

The college’s head of sport Anna Harvey said: “They have done exceptionally well helping young people get into sport and develop their skills in the community and college.

“For our students, the scheme builds confidence and self-esteem, encourages them to take coaching qualifications and develops them as individuals.”

Among those involved in the scheme is Lucy Clarkson, 18, of Morton-on-Swale, who competes in county athletics, She said: “It is great fun working with the younger children who seem to look up to us. We organised a primary school sports day which went down very well.”

Others involved include Anna Morris, 17, of North Cowton, who plays hockey for Thirsk, Fergus Roberts, 18, of Romanby, who runs cross country for England, Northallerton Town footballer Josh Fitter, 17, of Northallerton, Michael Bush, 17, of Northallerton, who plays rugby for Middlesbrough and James Greenwell, 17, of Northallerton, who plays for Brompton Football Club.