ST HELENS Council is planning to introduce a Gold Keycard to help train potential future international sportsmen and women from the borough.

In a report to the council's Leisure Committee, which has approved the scheme in principle, it was pointed out that the Recreation Division receives a number of requests each year from local sportsmen and women seeking assistance to enable them to train to achieve international honours in their chosen field.

The division has identified eight men and women (including three from disability sports) who could qualify for the new card.

At present the council has no mechanism to support elite athletes with their training needs, but it was felt that the athletes could benefit from the council's fitness facilities, swimming pools and athletics track. The proposal is to provide a Gold Keycard to be issued to a pre-determined number of individuals per year on an application basis.

Applicants would have to be resident within the borough or compete for a sports club based in the borough and be competing successfully at national level, approaching international honours or be considered by the sport's governing body to be capable of attaining this level.

Councillor Keith Deakin, chair of the Leisure Committee, said: "The Gold Keycard would entitle the holder to free use of all facilities operated by the Recreation Division and free attendance at appropriate classes and courses.

"In return, the recipients would be required to assist the Council's development of sport within the borough including coaching, attending launches or promotional events and visiting schools to act as positive role models."

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