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33,000 youngsters inspired into sport as legacy programme gathers momentum

33,000 young people have been inspired to do sport in their own time in the first six months of Sport England’s Sportivate Olympic and Paralympic legacy initiative.

All of the teenagers and young adults have received six to eight weeks of coaching in a sport of their choice. And figures published today show how the legacy programme is gathering momentum: 25,801 of the 32,932 participants took part in the last three months alone.

Responding to the legacy pledge made by Seb Coe in Singapore in 2005, Sportivate is aimed at young people who currently aren’t playing sport in their own time, giving them the chance to find a sport they enjoy. The young people are then helped to find a club or venue where they can keep taking part.

All those who complete a sports course, missing no more than one session, and then continue to play sport for at least three months will have the chance to enter a ballot for free London 2012 tickets. Sport England has hundreds of Olympic and Paralympic tickets available for Sportivate participants via the London 2012 Ticketshare initiative.

Sport England’s Chair, Richard Lewis, said: “Tens of thousands of young people who’d previously thought sport wasn’t for them have now discovered just how much fun it can be. This is what the Olympic and Paralympic legacy is all about and it’s fantastic to hear about all those finding a new passion for sport.”

 In the South West, a group of teenagers were introduced to gig rowing by a Sportivate project run by Nankersey Gig Club. They’ve since been selected to take part in the 2012 Gig Rowing World Championships on the Isles of Scilly. 20-year-old Oli Maskrey, a Science student from the University of Exeter Tremough Campus, said: “I love rowing because it gets me out on the water. We’re all really excited about going to the world championships which is a really great opportunity that I wouldn’t have had without the Sportivate project that got me started!”

In the East of England, 14-year-old Ben Torren, was among those who took part in ‘Get Into Judo’ Sportivate sessions at Mildenhall College of Technology. He said: “I didn’t know what to expect as I have never done judo before but I thought it was pretty good. I particularly enjoyed learning all the holds with my partner and I am really looking forward to the next session already.”

 As part of the Places People Play official Olympic legacy programme, the National Lottery-funded Sportivate will benefit hundreds of thousands of young people over four years.

Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics, said: “Sportivate has had tremendous early success, giving young people the chance to try their hand at a variety of sports with proper training and positive encouragement. I am delighted that so many young people have been able to find a sport they love ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and I’m confident that Sportivate will leave a great sports legacy from London 2012.”

Sportivate is being delivered by the network of 49 county sports partnerships who are working with local providers and sports clubs to help 14- to 25-year-olds to continue taking part long after they have completed their course.

To help inspire and motivate the participants, our Sporting Champions - a team of current and retired elite athletes – are visiting Sportivate sessions to share their experiences and enthusiasm for sport.

Notes to Editors

Sport England is focused on the delivery of a lasting legacy for community sport beyond the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

Places People Play

Places People Play is a £135 million National Lottery programme being delivered by Sport England, in partnership with the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the British Paralympic Association (BPA) with the backing of The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the London 2012 Inspire mark.

London 2012 Ticketshare

London 2012 Ticketshare is an exciting initiative that will allow many individuals who would not normally have access to the Olympic and Paralympic Games the chance to attend. Tickets are funded through a levy on London 2012 Prestige Ticketing hospitality package. People and organisations that will be eligible for tickets are: children and young people from London and around the UK whose schools and colleges are part of the Get Set network; servicemen and women and their families through Tickets for Troops; the British Olympic Association; the British Paralympic Association; and the home country sports councils. The scheme is dependent on the success of Prestige ticket sales.

 

Tags: #legacy / #placespeopleplay / #sportivate