成人快手

Despite all the high minded talk of London 2012 inspiring future generations and leaving lasting legacies, the harsh truth at the present time is that sporting facilities around the capital still leave a lot to be desired.

We've all heard about the bumpy football pitches with their inadequate changing rooms and the constant battle to find a decent public swimming pool in easy reach of our homes, but what about newer sports like skateboarding?

Until recently, students at Brampton Manor Secondary School in East Ham had to travel outside their borough of Newham, which will house the main Olympic complex, to gain access to a skate park.

At first they decided to petition their local council for skateboarding facilities but when nothing was forthcoming they started campaigning for a skate club at their school.听听听听听听听

Many young people are interested in physical pursuits but are perhaps turned off by our more traditional sports because of their crushing emphasis on rules and competition.

Tyla Arabas is the Ethnic Minority Achievement Coordinator at Brampton Manor, she joined the school when a strong core of students were still campaigning for a skate club and decided to help them make it a reality:

"I had a very positive experience with a skate club at my old school and started looking around for some money to set up something similar at Brampton Manor."

But money wasn't the only obstacle standing in the way of a skate club at Brampton Manor.

Even with a well backed petition, the students still had to challenge perceptions and ensure safety.

Alfie is one of the most experienced skaters at the school and he recalls the problems that had to be overcome:

"One of the hardest things was getting insurance but there were a lot of teachers who thought it was a bad idea too. People associate skaters with being bad people but it's something positive to do rather than hanging around on the streets."听

With partial funding coming from the Jack Petchey Foundation and the school there was money available to purchase ramps, fly-offs and skateboards with protective gear.

The skate club started in January with 40 students and, as Sebastian's film shows, it's maintained its popularity since the new term started last month.听

The aim now is to build links with other schools in the borough and give them access to Brampton Manor's resources.

As Tyla Arabas indicates, the skate club has already forged a spirit of solidarity amongst students, parents and teachers:

"The students involved are keen to mentor younger students and have created a wonderful learning environment where everyone feels supported and respected regardless of their ability. We've had a very positive response from parents who have come to watch sessions and have sent thank you letters to the school."

It would seem it doesn't take a multi billion pound Olympic project to encourage young people to take an interest in sport after all.