Grade 8 students across Chatham-Kent have the opportunity to take part in a first-of-its-kind track and field event.
The Kent County Coaching group, comprised of high school teachers and coaches, is putting on multiple clinics to hopefully drive up interest in the sport.
"Sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, and hockey seem to draw in kids more... track and field just doesn't get as many kids involved," said Courtney Bovin, a track and field coach at John McGregor Secondary School.
She explained that the number of students joining the sport once they get into high school was much higher before the COVID-19 pandemic. In the years since, the group has been trying to find ways to encourage more students to try it out, with the latest idea being to hold these clinics.
Interested students will choose two events to try out. They can choose between sprints, hurdles, relay exchanges, jumps, shot put, and discus.
"We're gonna show them how to run better, expose them to running blocks. They will learn how to run better, jump better, (throw better)," added Bovin.
The first event will be held on May 5 at the CK Athletics Complex. It will only be available for students at Bothwell Public School, Dawn Euphemia Public School, Dresden Area Central School, Gregory Drive Public School, King George VI Public School, McNaughton Avenue Public School, Tecumseh Public School, Thamesville Area Central School, and Wallaceburg District Secondary School Elementary.
The second clinic will be on May 12, also at the CK Athletics Complex. It's available for students at Harwich Raleigh Public School, Indian Creek Road Public School, Merlin Area Public School, Queen Elizabeth II Public School, Ridgetown District Secondary School Elementary, Tilbury Area Public School, Victor Lauriston Public School, WJ Baird Public School, Wheatley Area Public School, and Winston Churchill Public School.
"Just come and try it, you might like it," said Bovin.
People can register for the clinics online.