Talented young Staffordshire athletes launch new 2012 Legacy Action Plan

 

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 Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent.

 

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”.

 

Mark Meredith, Elected Mayor for Stoke-on-Trent added: “The 2012 Olympics are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the quality of life for people across this country. But this will only happen if councils and their partners work together at every stage and at every level to plan the Games and their legacy. I’m therefore delighted to endorse this Action Plan, which links the national vision directly to our area’s priorities and aspirations.”

 

Pictured: Elected Mayor Mark Meredith, Cllr Maureen Compton, Chris Kirkland, Neil Turner (centre back row) and Staffordshire's Young Athletes

 

Staffordshire Young Athletes who participated in the launch of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Legacy Action Plan for the 2012 Games were:

 

Tom Brady from Stafford – one of the top racers in Olympic sport of white water canoe slalom.

 

Andrew Bridgman from Stone – Sailing – selected in 2008 for Team GBR National single-handed Topper Squad

 

Alice Lennox from Stafford – Multi-event athlete

 

Alex Nelson from Stoke-on-Trent – Currently ranked number 2 in Great Britain for the 200m. Achieved selection for Team GB for the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Megan Viggars from Newcastle under Lyme – competes in both indoor and beach volleyball.  Voted Most Valuable Player in National Under 16s Championships in 2008.

 

Jacob Eagles from Stoke-on-Trent – double national champion in gymnastics and tumbling. Member of City of Stoke Gymnastics Club.

 

Grace Mahony from Stoke-on-Trent – inter county 800m champion at under 14. She has achieved national standards in 6 different athletics disciplines.

 

Najee Fox from Stoke-on-Trent – was silver medallist at the All England Championships at under 15, county, inter-county and midland champion at under 15 and under 17.  Ranked 3^rd in UK at under 17.

 

Sophie Powell from Stoke-on-Trent – double gold medallist in the coxed fours. She is the team’s Cox and won these championship titles at Henley and Nottingham.

 

For further information please contact:

 

Chris Kirkland

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Co-ordinator for the 2012 Games

Tel: 01785 854595

E-mail: chris.kirkland@staffordshire.gov.uk