Caption: Professor, Laura Mc'Allister, Chair, Sport Wales. addressing the audience - Photo mandatory by-line: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle/Sported - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 08/11/2012 - SPORT - Wales Sported Launch Event, Sport Wales, National Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Wales. - PRESS RELEASE: LONDON 2012 LEGACY CHARITY OFFICIALLY OPENS FOR BUSINESS IN WALES
The London 2012 legacy charity sported. officially opened its doors in Wales today promising to support grassroots and community sports organisations and ensure that Wales is part of the lasting legacy of the Olympic Games.
Jamie Baulch, the former Olympic sprinter kicked off the official launch at the Sport Wales office in Sophia Gardens, outlining why he had chosen to support the sported Foundation.
ÒI was fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to engage in sport from an early age and because I had strong role models who encouraged me and good coaches, I was lucky enough to reach the top in my sport. What I have since discovered is that not all young people in Wales are this fortunate, not all of them get access to sport like I did and not all of them get the chance to be inspired by sport like I was, sported. is working to change this which is why IÕm delighted to be one of their ambassadors.Ó
sported. is a key part of the London 2012 legacy, it was established in 2009 by Sir Keith Mills, the Deputy Chairman of LOCOG, who was determined to ensure that the ÔInspire a GenerationÕ promise was delivered across the UK.
sported. provides funding and business support to the ÔSport for DevelopmentÕ sector. Research suggests that there could be as many of 10,000 organisations within this area of sport, all of them delivering sporting programmes as a means of bringing about social change in their communities.
Director of sported. Jo Stocks said: ÓWhen we established sported. we were keen to ensure that we were supporting an area of sport which needed help, we didnÕt want to re-invent the wheel. It became evident very quickly that the area we call Ôsport for developmentÕ was the most under-funded and under supported sector and yet the organisations within it were having the greatest impact on their communities by helping young people to turn their lives around.
ÒI am delighted to say that with this launch in Wales we are now fully operational across the UK, we have close to 2,000 Members and have so far been able to put a further £2million into this sector both through our grants programme and from other funders and weÕre looking forward to doing much more. Ò
Welcoming the launch of sported., the chair of Sport Wales, Professor Laura McAllister added: ÒThe London 2012 Games have sparked a real interest in the younger generation here in Wales and weÕve been very vocal about the need for the sector to capture on that interest and turn it into participation in sport, that is why I am delighted to welcome sported. to Wales, the oarganistion shares Sport WalesÕ ambition to provide all young people with the opportunity to participate in sport and to get them hooked for life. I look forward to working with sported. as we continue to develop sporting opportunities in Wales.Ó
sported. provides Members with access to funding as well as a unique business Mentoring programme delivered by a network of highly skilled volunteers.
Since opening for membership in March sported. has taken on over 70 Members in Wales and has given out close to £30,000 in funding.
sported. Wales Manager, Richard Thomas added: ÒI feel priveleged to be part of delivering the sported. programme in Wales, every day I see first hand just how powerful sport can be as a tool of engaging young people and I would urge any group or individual who feels that they might be able to benefit from our services, to please get in touch. We are also keen to hear from any indviduals who feel that their skills and knowledge might benefit our Members. Ó
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For further information, please contact:
Tracie Simpson
sported. PR Manager
M: 07775 601 956
E:
[email protected]
Richard Thomas, sported. Wales Manager
M: 07775 602164
E:
[email protected]
Notes to Editors
About sported.
sported. is a national charity established in 2008 by Sir Keith Mills (vice chair of LOCOG and creator of Nectar and Air Miles).
sported.Õs mission is: ÒTo provide business resources and financial support to community sport organisations, enabling them to reach and improve the lives of more young people than ever beforeÓ. sported. plays the role of business angels, dedicated to sport for development projects across the UK. The charity offers capacity building support and funding to voluntary and community sector projects which run activities for young people aged 11-25.
sported. is active across the UK - Services are delivered through a team of Regional Managers and a substantial network of skilled volunteers. In addition to helping individual organisations, sported. also aims to provide a voice for the sector as a whole. The charity is committed to proving the social benefits of sport for development and therefore increasing investment into the sector.
The charity has been awarded the Inspire Mark by LOCOG
www.sported.org.uk - Registered charity number: 1123313
Byline: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle/Sported
Date: 8 Nov 2012
Location: Sport Wales, National Centre, Cardiff, Wales
Restrictions: No commercial or wireless uses without permission. Contact for further details
Licence type: Rights-managed
Credit: Pinnacle Photo Agency Ltd
Release information: Not released. More information
Copyright: 2015 Pinnacle Photo Agency Ltd