Published at 11:11, Thursday, 19 July 2012

WHEN a sportsman takes part in the Olympics you can be quite sure that his employer will happily parade him in front of the TV cameras.

It’s a moment of pride – and some welcome PR – for any company that has an Olympian or other winning sportsman among their staff.

But UK companies must first demonstrate their support and show the sort of commitment the young sportsman or woman is expected to exhibit. So it is disappointing to hear this week of 17-year-old Whitehaven rugby player Tom Horner struggling to find an apprenticeship scheme which will allow him to leave mid-afternoon a couple of days a week.

He’s not even asking to be given the time off for nothing – he’s quite prepared to make up the hours. He will leave work early to drive 140 miles – a three-hour journey – arriving in Salford in time to change into his kit and begin training with the Salford U18s’ Academy. And after training it’s another 140 miles back home. Fuel costs alone eat up £120 a week.

Any potential employer seeing that level of commitment in a prospective employee should be crawling over hot coals to get them as a member of staff. And when Tom reaches the top in his sport, they can truly share in his glory.

So come on bosses: Give Tom a job and demonstrate your belief in young people and sport in Britain today.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk