DOVERCOURT could be home to the next Olympic star as funds have been confirmed to cover skateboarding coaching in the town.

It comes after the sport was confirmed to make its Olympic debut at the 2021 summer games.

Now talks are underway for Dovercourt’s skate park to be one of 100 in the country which will benefit from having free skateboarding lessons provided.

The lessons will be carried out by Team Rubicon, one of the UK’s leading providers of lessons within the sport.

They are looking for 100 skate parks to join them in a nationwide Talent Pathway programme, with the Dovercourt park built in 2017.

The programme looks to provide a route for people to progress in the sport right the way through to the top.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: The skate park in Wick RoadThe skate park in Wick Road

Harwich Town Council confirmed on Tuesday they will be covering the £920 cost to cover the coaching in a bid to get people enjoying the outdoors post-pandemic.

Town councillor Jo Henderson is even hoping the area may produce an Olympic talent of its own as a result.

She said: “The programme will provide free coaching sessions and access to all equipment. It will help young people who really want to get involved with the sport but perhaps can’t afford the equipment.

“It will also help those who want to try it out but don’t want to spend the initial outlay in case it turns out to not be for them.

“It’s all about being inclusive for everybody and bringing the community together to make the use of the facilities. We want girls to get involved too, it’s not something only boys can do.

“If we are successful it will be fantastic for our young people, and who knows we might have somebody good enough to progress further.

“They’re looking for Olympic participants – somebody has to make it, why can’t they be from our area?

“To become one of the 100 would be a really big achievement and I’d encourage everybody to try it out.”

To increase inclusivity there will also be girls only, BAME and SEN lessons.

The funding has now been set aside ready to kickstart the programme and the council is now waiting for Team Rubicon to confirm the town has been selected.