Osborne's training hours will lead to qualification

BEAU SEJOUR Barracudas member Jeremy Osborne has been successful in securing a place on the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence scheme. Final selection was made using the national rankings for Olympic events as at 1 July, with the top eight competitors gaining a position.

It will begin in October when more than 170 16-year-olds from around the UK will benefit from the scheme which means their long hours of training in the pool will count towards a nationally recognised qualification.

The Amateur Swimming Association is one of only four governing bodies and the only Olympic sport to have signed up to the scheme that is available exclusively to young people who have an excellent chance of making a career of competing in their chosen sport. Cricket, tennis and rugby union are the other three taking part.

Building on the successful tradition of apprenticeships in football, the two-year course will consist of eight units including time management, career planning, goal setting, diet and training.

In addition, the curriculum will include training targeted specifically at those who will go on to represent their country with modules such as sportsmanship and how to handle the pressures that success can bring.

More immediately, Osborne will be among a small Guernsey contingent at the ASA National Championships in the Ponds Forge pool, Sheffield.

Osborne and Tom Hollingsworth will be joined in the pool at Beau Sejour next week by Ian Powell as all three prepare to compete in the nationals in two weeks' time.

Powell, who is currently training under the umbrella of Florida State University, will be representing Barracudas at that event.

Another club member Alexander Beaton, currently based at Millfield, will also be competing, but will be representing his school.