A NEW sports academy which aims to give youngsters a chance to fulfill their sporting dreams has opened in Wirral.

The World Elite Sports Performance Academy says it aims to give world-class performance training to young athletes as they bid to improve their physical and mental strength to international and gold medal-winning standards.

The academy was founded by Alastair Saverimutto, who has first-hand experience of having to uproot from Wirral when he went in search of a senior rugby career almost 30 years ago.

Moves to Bath, Bristol and Gloucester followed and he went on to establish himself as one the game’s first professional players in the 1990s.

Mr Saverimutto said: "Opportunity is everything in sport - and it is our belief that if you want success at the very highest level then you need to possess something different, you need to find that competitive edge.

"All too often at a young age the focus is exclusively on participation and I absolutely understand that strategy, but it is not suitable for everyone.

"There is undoubtedly a number of talented and gifted individuals out there and they need to be placed in a slightly different enhanced environment."

He added: "We are proud to have those aspiring sports stars here on our doorstep in Wirral and importantly the WESPA strategy is to be able to help them achieve great things without having to look elsewhere around the country."

The first two scholarships were announced at the academy's launch at Bromborough Village Hotel, with sponsor Cammell Laird awarding them to Jasmine Dunne, from Bebington High Sports College and Thomas Russell, from Calday Grange Grammar School.

The pair will now go on to a participate in the inaugural 12-month programme.

Laird chief executive John Syvret said: "When I was first presented with this opportunity I immediately wanted to get Cammell Laird involved.

"I was extremely impressed by the desire and dedication of the WESPA team to make a difference to young aspiring sportsmen and women across Wirral.

"Sporting opportunities at the highest level are few and far between.

"If we can help have a positive and lasting influence, however small, then it is something I am proud to do and I encourage the local business community to embrace.

“I wish all the young people of Wirral who have participated in the WESPA application process all the best in their current and future sporting endeavours and look forward to learning of the progress of the inaugural winners in the coming weeks and months.”

More details are from wespa.uk