33,000 youngsters inspired into sport as legacy programme gathers momentum
Published on: 8th February 2012
33,000 young people have been inspired to do sport in their own time in the first six months of Sportivate - Sport England’s Olympic and Paralympic legacy initiative.The newly published figures show the legacy programme is gathering momentum, with 25,801 of the 32,932 participants taking part in the last three months alone.
Responding to the legacy pledge made by Seb Coe in Singapore in 2005, Sportivate is aimed at 14- to 25-year-olds who currently aren’t playing sport in their own time, giving them the chance to find a sport they enjoy. The young people are then helped to find a club or venue where they can keep taking part.
“Tens of thousands of young people who’d previously thought sport wasn’t for them have now discovered just how much fun it can be,” said Richard Lewis, Sport England’s Chair. “This is what the Olympic and Paralympic legacy is all about and it’s fantastic to hear about all those finding a new passion for sport.”
In the South West, a group of teenagers were introduced to gig rowing by a Sportivate project run by Nankersey Gig Club. They’ve since been selected to take part in the 2012 Gig Rowing World Championships on the Isles of Scilly.
“I love rowing because it gets me out on the water,” said 20-year-old Oli Maskrey, a Science student from the University of Exeter Tremough Campus. “We’re all really excited about going to the world championships which is a really great opportunity that I wouldn’t have had without the Sportivate project that got me started!”
In the East of England, 14-year-old Ben Torren, was among those who took part in ‘Get Into Judo’ Sportivate sessions at Mildenhall College of Technology. “I didn’t know what to expect as I have never done judo before but I thought it was pretty good,” he said. “I particularly enjoyed learning all the holds with my partner and I am really looking forward to the next session already.”
As part of the Places People Play official Olympic legacy programme, the National Lottery-funded Sportivate will benefit hundreds of thousands of young people over four years.
“Sportivate has had tremendous early success, giving young people the chance to try their hand at a variety of sports with proper training and positive encouragement,” said Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics.
“I am delighted that so many young people have been able to find a sport they love ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and I’m confident that Sportivate will leave a great sports legacy from London 2012.”
