Yukon launches 'sports school' pilot project

Yukon's school system is trying out its first-ever sports program.

The pilot project at F.H. Collins Secondary in Whitehorse is geared towards developing athletic abilities and overall physical fitness.

Yukon's Education and Community services officials developed and made contributions toward the sports school.

Sport Yukon supported and played a role in starting the program.Executive Director Tracey Bilsky says students from all sports can be involved.

"Kids are going to develop their physical literacy and multi-sport skills so they will be participating in sprint training, gymnastics and flexibilitytraining and then weight training as well and on their fifth day will be guest speakers who come in to talk about sport sciences," she said.

Bilsky says about two dozen students are registered.

They take academic courses for half a day and then attend sport school for the other half.

If the pilot program is successful this year, Bilsky hopes other schools will adopt the program.