Matthew enjoys a day with British Olympian

Chester youngster Matthew Pagan enjoyed a dream athletics masterclass with British Olympian and fourtime UK Champion Michael Rimmer after winning a place on the Aviva UKA Academy regional training session programme.Matthew, 11, from Overleigh St Mary’s Primary School, was one of a handful of youngsters in attendance as Rimmer passed on tips, advice and ran a live session at Edge Hill University.
The Aviva UKA Academy is a fresh new approach to grassroots sports, designed to give every child in the country the opportunity to get involved in athletics by London 2012.
And Rimmer, who spent individual tuition-time with Matthew and each of the other children in attendance, is convinced the Aviva-funded scheme could help to uncover a future British Olympian.
“I want to try and just get kids like Matthew excited about the sport and getting them fit and healthy and basically introducing them to athletics,” said Rimmer. “When I was their age I didn’t have a clue what athletics was about – I didn’t know what to do and it wasn’t until I had a few sessions that I did.
“But once I did I really enjoyed it. Other sports take up so much of the talent that from an athletics point of view you have to go out and find it. And you don’t know who you are going to find until you go out and look for it.”
The training sessions are designed to allow children of all ages and abilities the chance to try athletics and find something that they enjoy.
And Matthew, who turned his hand to sprinting, long jump and a variety of other activities, is adamant he’d like to follow in the footsteps of Rimmer and represent his country at an Olympic Games.
“Michael was a real inspiration and he was telling us how to breathe properly when we are running and how to train,” said Matthew – who runs for West Cheshire AC.
“It was a really enjoyable day – I really enjoyed the sprinting and long jump and I hope I can make the most of it when I get back competing.
The Aviva UKA Academy is a fresh new approach to grassroots sport, designed to give every child in the country the opportunity to get involved in athletics by 2012. For more information go to www.aviva.co.uk/athletics

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