Saturday 31st October marked the launch of a new initiative; with Leisure Connection and Sport England working in partnership to ensure the legacy of London 2012 continues long after the games.
On the eve of 1,000 days until London 2012 the two sporting organisations and champions of grass roots sport teamed up to show their support for the Games and its legacy by encouraging 1,000 people to sign up to volunteer over the next 1,000 days in the build up to one of the greatest sporting events world over.
Bisham Abbey and Lilleshall hosted a celebratory lunch for members of the local government and sports clubs as well as national governing bodies.
The National Sports Centres – Lilleshall and Bisham Abbey, which are owned by Sport England and Stoke Mandeville Stadium, which is owned by WheelPower will provide literature to educate and inform prospective volunteers and subsequently direct them towards the 2012 volunteer site (
www.london2012.com/get-involved/volunteering) where they can register.
“We want our initiative to benefit sports people of all ages and all abilities so we’ll be using this campaign as an opportunity to call for grassroots level support within the many communities we operate in” says Zoe Dixon, Head of National Centres at Sport England.
“Volunteering can make a real difference in many sporting clubs; whether it is with a local team or even clubs looking for people to help with the accounts, marketing, even washing the kit! Offering your services to benefit a local club will have a positive impact overall on the community as well supporting London 2012.”
Volunteers are in short supply and really are the life blood of sport. Leisure Connection is pleased to be working alongside Sport England to encourage as many prospective volunteers as possible to realise their volunteering potential over the next 1,000 days.
“Volunteers can make or break the Games”, according to Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee and by investing now will help to grow, sustain and excel the athletes of tomorrow as well as playing an important role in London 2012.
Dignitaries attended from the Amateur Swimming Association, English Institute of Sport, Leisure Connection, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council, Sport England, Sport England South East, Team Activity Group, Windsor Ascot Maidenshead District Sports Association for the Disabled and Win Tennis to show their support for the initiative.
www.leisureconnection.co.uk/today-s-challenges/2012/
