Staffordshire's finest lead the way for school sports

 

Three sporting youngsters from Staffordshire have been chosen to become Champion Ambassadors for the UK School Games.

 

Nathan Woodward, a member of Tamworth Athletics Club, Emma Wilkins, a former pupil at Cardinal Griffin Catholic High School in Cannock, and Ashlee Nelson, from Stoke-on-Trent, are three of only 12 youngsters in the country chosen to become ambassadors for the annual event.

 

They have been picked on the basis of their outstanding performances in the 2006 and 2007 UK School Games.  Emma Wilkins won a gold medal for freestyle swimming in the 2007 games, and has been chosen to become an ambassador for the sport for the coming year.  Nathan Woodward is an ambassador for athletics, after winning a gold medal in the UK 2006 School Games for the 400m hurdles. Sprinter Ashlee Nelson won two gold medals at both the 2006 and 2007 Games.   

 

Being an ambassador means that both will play an active role in contributing to the future development of the UK School Games, and raise its profile.  The 12 inaugural Champion Ambassadors met Prime Minister Gordon Brown on May 13, before attending a reception at the House of Commons, organised Richard Caborn MP, president of the UK School Games.

 

Councillor Maureen Compton, support member for culture and heritage at Staffordshire County Council, said:  “It is fantastic that these youngsters have been chosen to be ambassadors for their respective sports.  I am sure they will carry their enthusiasm for sport over into their duties as ambassadors.”

 

Emma Wilkins said:  “It’s a real honour to be chosen as a Champion Ambassador and to represent my sport, swimming, in a high profile way.  It was a wonderful experience, a chance in a life time.  Not many people like me get the chance to meet the Prime Minister at No 10. I understand that we will be invited to input our views how future games could be improved further and represent our sports.”

Emma Wilkins pictured above with the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown

Chris Kirkland, 2021 Games co-ordinator for Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, said:  “Young people often get a bad press, but Emma, Nathan and Ashlee demonstrate that given the opportunity they can achieve their dreams. They are excellent role models and with the level of commitment and enthusiasm for their sports I am sure they will continue to succeed as they work towards competing at the London Games in 2012.”

 

The next UK School Games takes place on 28 to 31 August in four different venues around Bath and Bristol.  For more information on the UK School Games, visit www.ukschoolgames.com.

 

For more information contact:

Chris Kirkland
Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Co-ordinator for the 2012 Games

T: 01785 854595
E: chris.kirkland@staffordshire.gov.uk