A SCHEME which helps youngsters get into sport is coming to the North-East – with help from the Royal family.

The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry has revealed that Middlesbrough will be one of three new towns and cities to offer Coach Core.

The sports apprentice scheme was launched during the London 2012 Olympic Games and aims to help young people develop careers in sports coaching and mentoring.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry joined 150 Coach Core apprentices from cities across the UK in the London Stadium to launch the next phase of the project.

Middlesbrough will join Bristol and Devon as new additions to the cities and areas offering Coach Core 2017, alongside Manchester, London, Essex, Nottingham, Birmingham, Glasgow and South Wales.

Prince Harry said: "Such is the demand for these highly skilled coaches that I am delighted to announce that The Royal Foundation will be expanding our investment in the programme in Middlesbrough

“Our aim has been to create the next generation of exceptional sport coaches who are giving back to the kids in their own communities – who in turn will become leaders, mentors and role models themselves.”

The apprentice programme works by bringing together sports clubs and leisure employers to offer training and a national qualification.

Gary Labourne, Coach Core project manager said: “Since launching during the London 2012 Games we have tried and tested our innovative approach to creating the future of sports coaching and are ready to roll it out to more cities and areas across the UK.

“Young people in Middlesbrough who perhaps are not looking ahead with confidence to work or education will now have the opportunity to forge a career path as a sports coach.

"Sports and leisure employers in Middlesbrough will now be able to plan for a new wave of highly-skilled coaches to help them provide coaching and mentoring that makes exercise and sport open and enjoyable to everyone, whatever their ability.”