CHESTER basketball legend James Hamilton and current Cheshire Jet Shawn Myers have launched a schools programme to combat bullying.
Athletes Against Bullying (AAB) is aimed at schools and designed to equip young people with the confidence and skills to combat bullying without resorting to physical confrontations.
They also provide support and advice for teachers and parents to help them support children through what can be difficult situations for all involved.
Speaking at the launch of AAB, which was attended by Lord Mayor of Chester Councillor Eleanor Johnson, Hamilton, the retired 6ft 7ins forward who captained the Cheshire Jets for many years, said he was inspired to start the venture by children he met while with the Jets.
On school visits the one thing that came up again and again was bullying, said Hamilton.
Kids would ask us if we had been bullied, thinking because we were big athletic guys that we probably werent.
But in fact we all were bullied. I was picked on, Shawn was picked on and it was tough.
Often adults dont know how to help young people and young people dont want to ask for help. I am hoping to take athletes into schools to tackle the myth that some people are targets and others are not.
AAB is run by Hamilton and Myers but players from many other sports are part of the programme.
I dont want to give away the names of the athletes because I surprise the schools with the people I bring, said Hamilton.
To request details of the AAB programme, contact Jham2121@hotmail.com
