Transcript of Tessa Jowell's speech to launch the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme - 12 May 2003

Even before I became Secretary of State I had a passionate belief that thousands of talented young people were missing out on the chance to develop their skills to the full.

Not because of a lack of motivation. Or a lack of commitment.

But because of the dead hand of lack of money.

That should not happen.

And today is about taking a huge step to making sure it doesn't.

Background
No one who attended the Commonwealth Games could fail to be inspired by what they saw.

Whether it was the awesome Paula Radcliffe head-bobbing her way to splendid 5000m gold.

Or Ashia Hansen snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Or Ian Thorpe and his magnificent seven gold medals in the pool.

And it was there that I announced this £6 million scheme to help gifted young sportsmen and women to fulfil their potential.

Setting

We lose nearly three quarters of our talent between the ages of 17 and 21.

What a waste.

As we have heard, getting the balance between academic life and training and competing is hard.

Support is ad hoc. It's not organised. It's down to luck.

In many cases, athletes succeed despite - not because of - the system.

The Scheme

This cash will provide huge support for athletes. Support for their coaching.

Support towards use of world class facilities and support in mentoring at such a critical time in their sporting life.

It is the result of a lot of hard work by a lot of people.

And I thank everyone involved for making it possible.

Your co-operation and commitment will be vital in making the scheme a success.

Too often the system that exists today is based on the ambition of the supporting organisations not the athlete.

There is competition to "own" talented athletes.

This new scheme will only work if we become focused on the athlete and what they need to achieve their potential.

I want everyone - governing bodies, higher education institutes, and others - to work together to make this scheme a success.

When we are nurturing rare talent there can be no room for turf wars or hidden agendas.

And it means that we can all reflect on the part we have played in helping that athlete onto the medal rostrum.

No envy. No jealousy. No vying for the credit.

Just the satisfaction of having played a key part in making the best better.

The Future

Sport enriches all our lives with moments of outstanding brilliance.

The "Cruyff turn" helped thousands of boys twist their ankles in 1974.

Shane Warne's first ball in an Ashes match still gives Mike Gatting nightmares but remains one of the great deliveries ever televised.

And Steve Redgrave's fifth consecutive Olympic gold had half the country up late celebrating.

Sport inspires us.

We want to copy. We want to stretch ourselves. We want to achieve.

Maybe most of us are not the new Cruyff, Warne or Redgrave.

But some people are.

That precious talent capable of that world changing moment.

Capable of brilliance.

Too many sporting geniuses are lost before they are ever found.

This scheme is the start of allowing them to hone and perfect their skills.

To beat the world and to thrill us all.

Who knows, maybe even at a 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Just maybe.

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