Up to 70 teenagers from South Shields will have the chance to star at a sports event with the launch of an innovative project this week.
The youngsters, aged 11 to 15, will find out about the Arena of Life project at a presentation on Wednesday.
Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club and Bradford-based Music Media UK will be at hand to offer youngsters places in a pre-match performance at a Falcons' home game next season.
The project, part of the Gifted and Talented strand of South Tyneside's £2.8m Excellence in the Cities initiative, will carry elements of music, singing, dancing, design and photo- graphy. It will see the youngsters work with professionals for two weeks over the summer holidays.
Each of South Tyneside's 11 comprehensive schools will be running schemes for their keenest pupils in coming months. The Arena of Life is organised by Clare Johnson, who is co-ordinating activities at Brinkburn, Harton, Mortimer and St Wilfrid's Comprehensives.
