Tuesday, 13 May 2008
UK School Games’ President Richard Caborn MP is hosting a reception today at the House of Commons to thank those behind the success of the Games and to launch the UK School Games Champion Ambassadors programme.
Annually, the Champion Ambassadors programme will honour the outstanding performers from the UK School Games. Many of whom will be tipped as competitors at future Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This year’s inaugural group of UK School Games Champion Ambassadors are a combination of gold medal winners from the 2006 Games in Glasgow along with those selected for their potential performance status in relation to London 2012. All 12 Champion Ambassadors represent the four home countries and a range of sports including Paralympic events.
It is expected that each ambassador will serve between one and three years, with future nominations being made by the National Governing Bodies and Home Country Sports Councils, which will then be considered by the panel and each year worthy Champion will be invited to become an Ambassador.
Each Champion Ambassador will play an active role in contributing to the future development of the UK School Games and raise its profile as patrons, while meeting annually with Richard to provide an insight into the event as part of the Athletes Commission.
From being the driving force behind the concept of the UK School Games to his current position of President, Richard has worked closely with the Youth Sport Trust. He will continue to play an active role in all future Games and will also chair an Athletes Commission consisting of the Champion Ambassadors.
Richard Caborn said:
“…The UK School Games Champion Ambassador programme recognises the performances of those outstanding athletes across each sport who will become role models for their peers, help champion this inspirational event and, we hope, go on to win medals at major elite events. I will also be using the UK School Games Champion Ambassador programme as a sounding board for the development of the UK School Games for the future.”
£6million pounds from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport has been awarded to the Youth Sport Trust through Legacy Trust UK, to develop the UK School Games in Bristol and Bath in 2008 and each year until 2011.
This year’s UK School Games will take place in Bath and Bristol from 28 to 31 August.
Click here to find out more about the UK School Games