Whitehorse athletes will now have the chance to receive high school credit for time they spend training in their respective sports.

On Wednesday, the Yukon government introduced a new time table option for high school students in satisfactory academic standing.

'We'll begin by doing 50 push ups,' joked Education Minister John Edzerza, at the press conference.

'This Yukon government is always looking for ways to make the education system more relevant to students' needs and aspirations.

' The optional sports-focused program for Whitehorse high schools is one way that this government is meeting the challenge. The Canada Winter Games will be a significant opportunity for our student athletes and we want to support them in every way possible.'

The new program is designed for committed, high performance athletes, such as those that represent the territory on a provincial, national or international level. It will be available to students in all Whitehorse high schools F.H. Collins, Vanier, Porter Creek and …cole Emilie Tremblay.

Those who decide to enroll in it would start school earlier than most students, around 8 a.m. That would allow them to take a core academic class out of their timetable in the afternoon, and add it to the morning.

'That then frees up a block of time in the day, whereby we can then provide the students with an accredited course that gives them credit for their training and participation in sports, in a sport-specific area,' said Chris Gonnet, the director of learning for the Department of Education.

In the afternoon, the student would take a regular physical education class, followed by their sport-specific class, which would essentially give them the entire afternoon to train.

Local coaches and sport organizers have been trying to get this type of program going for years, as it's already being done in numerous provinces most extensively Quebec and the Maritimes.

But while the program is supported and facilitated by the Yukon government, most of the work will be done by each sport association. For example, if Volleyball Yukon has a group of kids they want to enroll in the program, Volleyball Yukon must decide what the kids will do in each class and provide the coach or instructor.

That's where some sports could run into problems, since most of the coaches volunteer their time on evenings and weekends, and have day jobs during the week. Also, for sports such as hockey, there would be ice fees the Yukon Amateur Hockey Association would have to fork over if they wanted to spend the afternoon on skates.

'We have to find out where this fits into the system,' admitted Vern Haggard, a sport consultant with the Department of Community Services. 'It's obviously not going to work for all sports.

'They have to have coaches and venues available in the afternoon. It's going to require discussions as to which sports have the resources and how many students can be involved.'

One of the sports that could benefit the most from the new program, however, is cross-country skiing. Cross Country Yukon had a paid, full-time coach in Alain Masson, who could spend time in the afternoons with the athletes. They would also have full use of the skiing trails in the afternoons, free of additional costs, since they are already club members.

'We don't have the same issues as other sports,' acknowledged Masson, who hails from Quebec and is familiar with the idea of the program. 'But in the end, it's good for all athletes, so I'm really glad it's going to happen.

'The only danger I see in this program is, we're (coaches) already too busy and we don't want to get any busier.'

The added training time in the afternoon would probably mean cutting back on some training time in the evening or on weekends, so the coaches aren't working more overtime than they already do.

While that may take some reworking within sport associations, Masson said afternoons may be better for a couple of reasons. First of all, for outdoor athletes, it's dark in the evening during the winter, so taking time during the school day to train could mean added daylight.

'Also, the energy athletes have during the day, they can accomplish a lot more quality training than when we get them after the school day,' said Masson.

Masson said he would be willing to work together on some sort of coach exchange with other sports, as was suggested during Thursday's press conference.

For instance, Masson could run the afternoon class for a bunch of athletes, focusing on dryland training or coaching theory, one day while Basketball Yukon could have a coach come in and run it the next scheduled day, which would limit the time each sport's coach would need to put in.

All of that will be brought up in discussions over the next several months, as it is anticipated students will be able to enroll in the program for the second semester of the upcoming school year. Many of the details still need to be finalized.

While the program comes into effect at a key time, the year prior to the Winter Games, Edzerza was quick to point out the benefits will extend beyond 2007.

'Studies have shown that students engaging in sport and physical activity have increased academic success rates,' he stated. '(Sport) encourages teamwork, builds confidence and self respect, and prepares young people to learn from their mistakes.'

In first nations tradition, added Edzerza, its always stressed 'you must develop the physical side of your well-being,' as well as the mental side.

Yukon education and sport officials believe the program will be a gradual success, with a limited number of participants for the first semester. As with all programs, said Haggard, it will take time to develop and finalize.

But when it gets going, they expect an added benefit will be the increased use of local facilities, such as the new Jeux du Canada Games Centre.

Many of the facilities currently used by students and athletes are underutilized during the day and extremely busy during peaks hours evenings and weekends when most training takes place.

And Masson believes that some sports may even see increased enrollment numbers due to the new optional program, once students see more opportunity and more time to get involved.

'We're using time as a resource, rather than a constraint,' stated Gonnet.