2012 Contacts

Marie Fitzpatrick
Staffordshire Co-ordinator for the 2012 Games
T: 01785 854595
E: marie.fitzpatrick@staffordshire.gov.uk

Website: www.wmfor2012.com and www.staffordshire.gov.uk/2012

Vanessa Darlington
Stoke-on-Trent Co-ordinator for 2012 Games
E: vanessa.darlington@stoke.gov.uk

For the latest update read October 2009's 2012 Update from the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Steering Group.

Want to get involved in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

(November 2009)

With three years until the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, there are hundreds of ways that people in the West Midlands can be at the heart of the Games themselves ... read on....right here, right now!

For more information contact:

Chris Kirkland

Staffordshire Co-ordinator for the 2012 Games
Direct Line: 01785 854595
Mobile: 07773 791118
Email: chris.kirkland@staffordshire.gov.uk
Website: www.wmfor2012.com and www.staffordshire.gov.uk/2012

Press release: November 3, 2009

Adopt an Athlete - Not Just For Christmas

Christmas shoppers have a unique opportunity to adopt athletes this Christmas. Not only will this answer all those difficult dilemmas of what to buy that awkward relative but it will also help fund the work of the British Athlete's Commission (BAC) in directly supporting the athletes.

If you purchase this gift for a loved one, they will receive a thank you email plus a certificate signed personally by an athlete, as well as updates throughout the following year on the athletes' progress.

The British Athlete's Commission works to make sure that the athletes' voices are heard and offers a pathway to pursue and resolve issues they face. By adopting the athletes shoppers will be supporting them in the run-up to 2012, with less than 1,000 days to go!

Zac Purchase, Rowing Olympic Gold Medallist at Beijing, says: "We are all very proud to be able to represent our country in our disciplines but when faced with injury or legal issues we have very little support. The BAC offers us a safety net and we incredibly grateful to all those that support us, especially with 2012 on the horizon."

Adopting an athlete will cost just £12 a year and is available for purchase via www.britishathletes.org where you click to Pledge Your Support!

Talented Young Staffordshire Athletes Launch New 2012 Legacy Action Plan - 26 February 2009

A group of talented young Staffordshire athletes helped to launch a new action plan on 26 February, which sets out how Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and its communities can benefit from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Legacy Action Plan for the 2012 Games was launched at the second Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent 2012 Conference which took place at The Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent.

Staffs and SoT 2012 Legacy Plan

The Plan has been developed following consultation with local and regional organisations, sports clubs, local councils and the wider community. It will provide a framework which can be used to engage people within Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent in the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and to gain the maximum economic, sporting, cultural, health and social benefits for the area from the London 2012 Games. Local business representatives were among the delegates at the Conference, which welcomed Tony Ward, official referee for the swimming competition at the Beijing Paralympics among the speakers. Alex Nelson from Birches Head, Stoke-on-Trent, one of Britain's most promising young athletes ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games also offered his Games experience in becoming an Olympic Athlete.

Other speakers included Paul Kaynes, West Midlands Creative Programmer, who gave an overview of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands, Councillor Chris Saint, Chair of the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games, who talked about the regional plans for the 2012 Games and Jim Johnston, Business Manager 2012 Games, Advantage West Midlands, who highlighted the business opportunities from the London 2012 Games'.

The event concluded with a series of workshops focusing on local case studies inspired by the 2012 Games, including the Cultural Olympiad in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, business intelligence, young people, support for sports clubs and how to inspire our communities to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

County Councillor Maureen Compton, one of the Staffordshire representatives on the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games said: "The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a real opportunity for the whole of the UK. Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent lies in the heart of the country and is well positioned, geographically and metaphorically, to capitalise on the Games being hosted on home soil to realise a wide range of benefits for our Sub Region. We believe that a successful Games will mean sustaining a legacy, particularly in terms of inspiring people, whether that is to participate in more sport and cultural activity or encourage young people to be the best they can be".

2012 Legacy Action Plan

2012 Executive Summary

Staffordshire sets sights on 2012 London Olympics

London 2012 presents a fantastic opportunity to promote participation in sport and build a lasting legacy for the development of sport across the country. Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are determined to make the most of these opportunities.

In September 2007 all the local authorities in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent agreed to provide funding to enable the appointment of a Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Co-ordinator for the 2012 Games. Chris Kirkland started in this post on 2nd January 2008 and is working with key stakeholders to ensure the sub region plays its part in making the 2012 Games a resounding success, and to derive the maximum economic, sporting, health and social benefits from them before, during and long after the event.

Pictured above: Maureen Compton and Chris Kirkland,
2012 Games Co-ordinator for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

Significant progress has been made in maximising the opportunities for the sub region from the 2012 Games.

A 2012 Steering Group has been established with representation from local authorities, primary care trusts, education, culture, Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, economic development and volunteering
A successful Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent 2012 Conference was held on 7 January 2008 to raise awareness of opportunities and consult partners on the vision for the sub region
Cannock Cricket and Hockey Club and Fenton Manor Sports Complex have been included in the Pre-Games Training Camps Guide for London 2012
Staffordshire County Council launched a Young People's Sports Grants scheme for aspiring Olympic and Paralympic athletes
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has also appointed a 2012 Co-ordinator who will work closely with the sub regional co-ordinator to develop opportunities for the City

Plans for the next 12 months

2008 is a very important year in the journey to 2012 as 24 August is when the handover from Beijing to London takes place and 26-28 September is the launch of the 4-year Cultural Olympiad. In Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent our plans will include:

Development of the Sub Regional 2012 Legacy Action Plan
Hosting a visit from Lord Coe to raise the profile of the good practice locally
Promote Pre-Games Training Camps facilities to National Olympic and Paralympic Committees and secure teams to base themselves in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Hold events across the sub region to mark the Olympic Handover to London on 24 August and Paralympic Handover on 17 September 2008
Deliver a range of activities during the Cultural Olympiad Launch Weekend
Develop a wide ranging programme for inclusion in the Cultural Olympiad, including accessing Legacy Trust funding for delivery of a dance programme and Community Olympian Games events
Stoke-on-Trent will host the finish for Stage 4 of the Tour of Britain cycling event
Schools, colleges and education providers in the sub region will participate in the London 2012 Education Programme
Confirmation of plans to host a Live Site/BBC Big Screen in the sub region
Hold further 'Prepare for 2012' business workshops and provide ongoing support to enable local companies to access contract opportunities related to the Games
Address the implications of the Government's 2012 Legacy Action Plan, including access to free swimming across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Assess the support available for local athletes

For more information on 'Flying the Flag - London 2012' events are taking place across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday 24 August click here.

Staffordshire Athletes - 5 December 2008

Three young Staffordshire athletes have been selected to represent Team GB at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) in Sydney from 14-18 January 2009. The event is for athletes aged between 13-19 who will be competing in 11 Olympic sports; archery, canoe/kayak; diving; equestrian; fencing; gymnastics; hockey; rowing; shooting; triathlon and volleyball (beach).

Our athletes are canoeists Tom Brady and Claire Kimberley (both from Stafford) and volleyball player Megan Viggars (from Newcastle). Both Tom and Claire received a Young People's Sports Grant from Staffordshire County Council earlier this year and Megan is submitting an application for 2009. All three have been invited to attend our 2012 Conference on 26 February at the Britannia Stadium. For more information on the AYOF please see http://www.olympics.org.uk/teamgb/about/.

Further good news is that Tom is one of only ten young athletes nationally to have been nominated for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year - http://www.bbc.co.uk/switch/revealed/?story=yspoty-tomb. Although he has not been shortlisted for the award, when you realise that the final three are diver Tom Daley, Paralympic Gold medal winning swimmer Ellie Simmonds and Junior Wimbledon Champion Laura Robson, you will understand that he is in very good company.

Opportunity for schools to get involved in Paralympic Handover events and London 2012 education programme

On 17 September 2008, the Paralympic Flag will be handed from the Mayor of Beijing to the Mayor of London. This Handover Ceremony marks the start of the build up to the London 2012 Games and the beginning of the London 2012 Education Programme. This programme aims to create a once in a generation Games experience for children and young people, inspiring them to fulfil their potential and create long-term benefits for themselves and their communities.

For more information click here.

Staffordshire pupil wins trip to 2008 Paralympic Games

Ten-year-old Reece Berrisford from St Peter's C of E (Aided) Primary School in Caverswall, Stoke-on-Trent is celebrating after having won a five-day trip to the Beijing Paralympic Games which run from 6-17 September.

The Visa Trip Package includes flights and accommodation, tickets to the Opening Ceremony and sporting events, along with visits to key cultural and tourist sites.

For more information click here.

County Council celebrates sporting talent

Sporting young people across Staffordshire were presented with a cheque to support their ambitions. The ceremony took place in County Buildings in Stafford on 25 June 2008 when 27 young people received £200 each.

Their sporting talents ranged from athletics, swimming and cycling to volleyball, sailing and canoe slalom. What they have in common is an ambition to represent their country at a senior level and compete at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Deputy Leader, Councillor Robert Simpson commented: "I am very pleased to be able to recognise and support so much sporting talent in the county. While we encourage every young person to participate in sport as part of a healthy lifestyle, it is a real privilege to be able to support our elite competitors. I hope very much to see every one of them compete in London in four years time."

Newcastle under Lyme athletes receive grants

Athletes from Newcastle-under-Lyme (left) and Stone (right) who received a cheque to support their ambitions

Vanessa Darlington
Stoke-on-Trent 2012 Olympic Coodinator
T: 01782 236156
E: vanessa.darlington@stoke.gov.uk

Vanessa has been appointed as Stoke-on-Trent 2012 Olympic Coodinator and will work closely with Chris Kirkland to develop opportunities for the City.

London 2012 - official site that previews the preparation involved in bringing the summer Olympics to the City of London.

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