James Price loves playing rugby, basketball and hockey and is a keen follower of most other sports, so the 16 year old is ideally suited for his work as a Gold Young Ambassador at Sir Thomas Picton School.
 
His role is to help games staff, and the school's 5x60 officer Dan Bellis, to promote the fact that leisure activities and physical well-being are to be enjoyed by as many of the school students as possible - and there is no doubt that his enthusiasm is infectious as he helps set up and attend a range of sporting activities at lunch times and in after-school clubs.
 

Mutual respect with his 5x60 officer

 
He is quick to praise the staff for their support but the respect is clearly mutual because Dan Bellis told us,
"James is a real asset to us because he will help with any task and always aims to do his best - and he is an example to non-participants with his willingness to encourage and spend time with less eager students.
 
"This is particularly so with younger pupils as he quickly gets to know them and set up classes like one for girls in dodge ball, where he places the emphasis on fun and has girls queuing up to join!"
 

Wide variety of activities planned

 
James is also ready to speak at assemblies for the lower school year groups and as well as his dodge ball class is also eager to have badminton groups and one for basketball for girls so that they can have a change from netball if they want.
 
Table tennis is also on the list of possibilities in the future, as well as continuing hockey for boys, where he not only does some coaching but also referees matches - and he attends at least two lunch time classes and some after-school activities, despite the fact that he is studying Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Business Studies at A Level!
 

Family matters

 
Ask James about his own involvement in sport and he would be quick to sing the praises of his parents, Mike and Amanda Price, whilst younger brother Harry (15) enjoys cricket and tennis, sister Isabelle (13) is keen on netball and younger brothers Freddie (8) and Teddie (4) are sure to take up some sport because they already love running about!
 
James plays rugby for the STP school first xv coached by Mr Greaves and Mr Llewellin, playing second row alongside county players of the quality of Tom Hughes and Kemsley Mathias.
 
He also played hockey for school in the first three years and his main sporting love is now basketball.
 
"We have odd matches in the sixth form and I play as a guard or forward, and believe it is a great game for anyone who doesn't like full contact sports but wants to get involved in a great team game. We had a charity match recently for 'Children in Need' and raised quite a bit of money as a result."
 

Getting to know non-participants

 
"I really believe there is a sport for almost everyone: it's a matter of finding out what it is and then enjoying the feeling of improving through regular participation.
 
"We chat to pupils we know don't participate very much or indeed at all in sport and find out what they might like to try to get them started - and if at all possible we try to help them out after chatting to Dan Bellis and the games staff.
 
"We know we can't please everyone because there are only so many activities that we can cover at one time but it is important that we try to get everyone knowing that we are there to help or give advice.
 

Started out as a Silver Ambassador

 
James started out as a Silver Young Ambassador when he was in Year Eight when Dan Bellis asked him to think about helping and he was delighted to be asked.
 
"I went with all the other new Silver Ambassadors in the county on a course where were given advice about the role, health and safety, some of the games we could think about coaching - and before long it was great to be able to help out at the District Sports for the junior school in our area.
 
"I also went with Dan Bellis in visiting the junior schools like Spittal, Wiston and Neyland, giving talks to the young children about what sports would be on offer at STP.
 
"We provided them with a range of equipment and allowed them to be innovative in creating games of their own, which was great fun as we tried them out!"

 
Deserved promotion from Silver to Gold!

 
James became a Gold Young Ambassador this school year when the previous incumbent stepped down because of work commitments in the upper sixth - and one of his duties is to liaise with George, William and Aidan, who are the three Silver Young Ambassadors.
 
He joined them recently in attending an induction event at the Archive Centre in Haverfordwest, where all the Gold, Silver and Bronze ambassadors were given an induction programme.
 
"It was packed out," James told us, "and was really productive in the sense that we all knew what our roles would be; and as a new Gold Ambassador I was given more coaching advice that is bound to be worthwhile back at school as we continue to work hard at the 5x60 scheme.
 

And finally . . .

 
James certainly practises what he preaches because he tries to keep as fit as possible in his own life, attending the gym when time allows and working really hard in the fitness suite as he aims to build on his repetitions and improve his stamina. He also goes jogging as another way of improving his own personal well-being.
 
He also follows football and really loves watching the Premier League on television, where he follows Manchester United and after going on a guided tour of Old Trafford can't wait to watch the 'Red Devils' as soon as he possibly can.
 
But what James Price does best is to throw himself wholeheartedly into his role as a Gold Young Ambassador at Sir Thomas Picton School - and we wish the modest and committed young man every success in his important role!