Thursday, 18 September 2008
Our Young Ambassador programme, now in its third year, has been granted the London 2012 Inspire Mark by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
This is the first initiative to receive the Inspire Mark for education and forms an important part of the PE and sport strand of Get Set – the official London 2012 education programme.
In the run up to 2012, we will have more than 5,500 14-19 year olds working as role models in schools and local communities. Each Young Ambassador will help build on the excitement created by the 2012 Games by championing the Olympic and Paralympic values, sport, PE and a healthy lifestyle to other youngsters.
Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said:
“The Young Ambassador programme embodies the promise made when London won the right to host the 2012 Games to use the Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire young people to choose sport. It’s an initiative which empowers young people to inspire their friends and peers and will form a key part of the London 2012 activities in schools. The Youth Sport Trust is thrilled the Young Ambassador programme has received official recognition from the organisers of the 2012 Games.”
Paul Deighton, Chief Executive of LOCOG, who will be in York on Thursday 18 September to officially open the first of this year’s six regional Young Ambassador conferences, said:
“The Young Ambassador programme will help bring the benefits of the 2012 Games to every part of the UK so we are delighted to recognise the scheme through our Inspire programme. Mirroring our brand values, only the most accessible, participative, inspiring and stimulating projects and events will achieve the Inspire mark, part of London 2012’s brand family.”
This academic year’s record intake of 1,000 Young Ambassadors will attend one of six Young Ambassador conferences in York, Oxford, Manchester, Derby, Exeter and London to help give them the skills to, for example, lead school assemblies, mentor other youngsters and get more young people participating in sport.
They will be joined by Beijing Team GB medallists: Christine Ohuruogu (gold – 400m), Jamie Staff (gold – track cycling, team sprint), Rebecca Romero (gold – track cycling, individual pursuit), Joe Glanfield (silver – sailing, 470) and Natasha Danvers (bronze – 400m hurdles) as well as a host of other top athletes who will help the Young Ambassadors plan for their two-year role.
Click here to find out more about the Young Ambassador Conferences