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Young athletes prepare for the Tony Blair Sports Foundation Sprint Trophy

Young Tyneside athletes are in final preparations as they get ready for the chance to rub shoulders with their Olympic heroes in an inaugural event at Gateshead International Stadium.

As a warm up to the AVIVA British Grand Prix, 12 young runners from three Gateshead Athletics clubs, will battle it out for the Tony Blair Sports Foundation Sprint Trophy.

This is set to be the first of three planned events to coincide with Gateshead's staging of the AVIVA British Grand Prix every year until 2010.

The Tony Blair Sports Foundation, Gateshead Council and England Athletics North East have invited the under 15's from Birtley, Gateshead and Blaydon Athletics clubs to compete in four sprints over 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres.

The runners will then watch a host of top name athletes competing in the UK's first major event following the Beijing Olympic Games.

Commenting on the event, Tony Blair said:

"This is a terrific chance for these young athletes to sample the excitement of performing in front of a large crowd. The North East is home to some of the greatest athletes to grace the world of track and field and I hope this first event will inspire a new generation of stars."

Gateshead Council is also marking the event as Gateshead Year of the Volunteer 2008, a year-long initiative aimed at encouraging people to make a positive contribution to the community by doing something for free.

Local volunteers will join several volunteer coaches, who are currently being helped through their coaching courses by the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, to help co-ordinate the event.

Gateshead Council cabinet member for culture Councillor Linda Green said:

"Whilst there's every reason to be excited that the very best athletes in the world such as Tyson Gray and Asafa Powell are coming to Gateshead, it's vital that we give just as much support to our local athletics clubs and the excellent work that they do to foster the stars of the future. This event is a great opportunity to do just that."

Jeanette Pickard, Chief Executive, Tony Blair Sports Foundation said:

"This is a chance for our coaches, who have successfully completed their Level 1 coaching, with the help of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, to get hands on experience of organizing young people and working alongside experienced coaches."

If you would like more information on how to become a coach or would like to offer your services to the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, please call 0191 2760640 . Or email info@tonyblairsportsfoundation.org.