THE launch of a scheme will see volunteers receive training so they can coach sporting stars of the future.

The Coaching in the Community scheme will be launched at Rutherford Hall, Ellison Building, on the Newcastle campus of Northumbria University, tomorrow.

Under the scheme, up to 100 Northumbria University students and staff will receive free training in a range of sports and, in return, they will carry out 40 hours of coaching in the community.

The activities include football, hockey, netball, basketball, fencing and health and fitness.

The scheme, funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, aims to combat the shortage of coaches in the North-East.

The university is working with local authorities, community centres, schools and sports clubs to operate the scheme, which will run throughout the North-East but will be centred on Newcastle, North Tyneside and Gateshead.