This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7964895.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Switch sport for Olympics' plea 'Switch sport for Olympics' plea
(about 9 hours later)
Talented young people who miss out on getting into professional football or rugby union squads are being urged to switch sports and try for the Olympics.Talented young people who miss out on getting into professional football or rugby union squads are being urged to switch sports and try for the Olympics.
The Pitch2Podium scheme aims to prevent youngsters released by academies drifting away from sport altogether.The Pitch2Podium scheme aims to prevent youngsters released by academies drifting away from sport altogether.
Their athleticism could be turned to other sports like cycling or hockey.Their athleticism could be turned to other sports like cycling or hockey.
Darren Campbell, who played football for Plymouth Argyle before switching to athletics and winning Olympic gold, said it was a "fantastic opportunity."Darren Campbell, who played football for Plymouth Argyle before switching to athletics and winning Olympic gold, said it was a "fantastic opportunity."
The talent transfer scheme was piloted last year with the English football authorities, and has now been reopened with the backing of both Scottish football and English rugby union's governing bodies.The talent transfer scheme was piloted last year with the English football authorities, and has now been reopened with the backing of both Scottish football and English rugby union's governing bodies.
"We saw from the athletes that came through Pitch2Podium last year that these players have trained hard and are disciplined, which provides them with a solid grounding for a potential future in Olympic sport," added Campbell, who is an ambassador for the scheme."We saw from the athletes that came through Pitch2Podium last year that these players have trained hard and are disciplined, which provides them with a solid grounding for a potential future in Olympic sport," added Campbell, who is an ambassador for the scheme.
"If nothing else, it can provide a very exciting 'Plan B'.""If nothing else, it can provide a very exciting 'Plan B'."
After being released, a return to the professional game can never be guaranteed, but now I have a real chance of getting somewhere in elite sport James Hoad, former Watford FC Academy goalkeeperAfter being released, a return to the professional game can never be guaranteed, but now I have a real chance of getting somewhere in elite sport James Hoad, former Watford FC Academy goalkeeper
Players will be put through their paces with physical tests designed to identify those with the potential to thrive in an Olympic sport.Players will be put through their paces with physical tests designed to identify those with the potential to thrive in an Olympic sport.
The tests will be conducted by sport scientists from the English and Scottish Institutes of Sport, along with Olympic coaches, at one of four assessment events starting at the end of the month.The tests will be conducted by sport scientists from the English and Scottish Institutes of Sport, along with Olympic coaches, at one of four assessment events starting at the end of the month.
UK Sport Talent Manager Chelsea Warr said those that took part in 2008 were "impressive".UK Sport Talent Manager Chelsea Warr said those that took part in 2008 were "impressive".
More than 80% of those tested in the first phase were of interest to at least one Olympic sport, and 39% to two or more sports, he said. More than 80% of those tested in the first phase were of interest to at least one Olympic sport, and 39% to two or more sports, she said.
"Unfortunately, not all of these players are going to make it to the top of the game, but via Pitch2Podium they could transfer the ready-made skills and abilities they have developed into a new sport, and potentially even progress towards the Olympic podium," he added. "Unfortunately, not all of these players are going to make it to the top of the game, but via Pitch2Podium they could transfer the ready-made skills and abilities they have developed into a new sport, and potentially even progress towards the Olympic podium," she added.
'Waste''Waste'
James Hoad, a former Watford FC academy goalkeeper, took part in Pitch2Podium last year and has been selected for trials in bob skeleton, cycling and hockey.James Hoad, a former Watford FC academy goalkeeper, took part in Pitch2Podium last year and has been selected for trials in bob skeleton, cycling and hockey.
"After being released, a return to the professional game can never be guaranteed, but now I have a real chance of getting somewhere in elite sport.""After being released, a return to the professional game can never be guaranteed, but now I have a real chance of getting somewhere in elite sport."
England under-18 rugby union coach, John Fletcher, said for many their chosen sport does not work out, through injury or the perception that they might not make the grade.England under-18 rugby union coach, John Fletcher, said for many their chosen sport does not work out, through injury or the perception that they might not make the grade.
"Many are discouraged and leave sport altogether. Understandable in the short term but what a waste in the mid to long term when that person's skills set might be ideally suited to another sport," he said."Many are discouraged and leave sport altogether. Understandable in the short term but what a waste in the mid to long term when that person's skills set might be ideally suited to another sport," he said.