National Young Ambassador Event

Thursday 1st December 2011

Coventry City’s football ground and upcoming Olympic venue was recently host to one of four National Young Ambassador Events.

Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership’s three Gold Young Ambassadors, Hannah Gamston, Barney Blake and Sarah White, all attended the event along with Katie Gamston, Stafford’s recent Platinum Ambassador.

The three Gold Ambassadors were chosen by the partnership due to their exceptional skills within sport and leadership shown throughout the past year.

The Young Ambassador programme will see more than 5,500 14-19 year olds in England working as role models in school and local communities in the run up to 2012. The programme, now in its fifth year, is officially recognised by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) through its London 2012 Inspire Mark.

Each Young Ambassador will help build on the excitement created by the Olympic games next year by championing; Olympic and Paralympic values, sport, Physical Education and a healthy lifestyle to other youngsters. Launched in 2006, the Young Ambassador programme is now managed by the Youth Sport Trust on behalf of the Department for Education.

During the day, Stafford’s Young Ambassadors spent the day planning their role for the next year which they did alongside current and former Olympic and Paralympic athletes.   

Hannah, 17, was the Young Ambassador role model in her group and worked with Adam Whitehead leading 30 other Young Ambassadors. Adam won Gold at the 2002 commonwealth games in Manchester in 100m breaststroke, setting a new commonwealth record.   He also participated in the Olympics in Sydney 2000.   

Barney, 17, worked with Paralympic Athlete Tim Prendergast.   Tim has attended 3 Olympic Games, winning Gold in Athens in 2004 in T13 800m, and two Silver medals in Sydney 2000.  

Sarah, 17, worked with Olympic Gymnast Craig Heap. Craig has 14 British titles and attended the Olympics held in Sydney 2000.

Although no longer a Young Ambassador, Katie Gamston also had an active time.  Katie spoke in the teacher’s session about her time as a Young Ambassador and the skills she has gained to help her in life.  She was also involved in speaking at the closing ceremony by giving advice and tips to the current crop of Young Ambassadors.

Steve Glover, the Partnerships Development Manager, attended the conference and said, “The day was so inspiring. To see so many talented young people working with such an array of Olympians and Paralympians was a great privilege. I am looking forward to working with our Young Ambassadors in this upcoming Olympic/Paralympic Year.’