Plans Revealed For World Sport Day
Schools and colleges across the UK are being encouraged to start planning how they are going to celebrate the athletes and cultures of the world on London 2012 World Sport Day, presented by Lloyds TSB, on Monday 25th June 2012.
The day, which will open Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week in England and Wales, will give thousands of young people in schools across the UK the chance to take part in the final UK-wide Get Set event before the London 2012 Games begin.
For schools in Scotland, World Sport Day plans to build on the momentum created during Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week (11-15 June 2012).
The plans for London 2012 World Sport Day were announced at the Copper Box in the Olympic Park. Get Set Network schools Ripple Primary School, Jo Richardson Secondary (both from Barking and Dagenham) and Bannerman High School (from Glasgow) took part in the announcement as well as Olympic Gold Medallist Jonathan Edwards, Team GB athletes Zoe Smith and Charlie Walker, Fijian athlete Sisilia Nsigia Rasokisoki and New Zealand athlete Jonathan Paget.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) will provide resources to schools through the official London 2012 education programme ‘Get Set’, including tips from the London 2012 Ceremonies team of producers on how to host an opening ceremony for World Sport Day.
Schools can download a planning guide to help them to prepare for their day at www.london2012.com/worldsportday.
LOCOG will also be releasing and promoting new resources every month to help schools plan their day and decorate their school for the celebrations.
In England and Wales, London 2012 World Sport Day, delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, will act as the opening ceremony of Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week, giving schools a great opportunity to kick off a week of school sport and celebrations.
Seb Coe, London 2012 chair, said: ‘With the Games almost here, World Sport Day presented by Lloyds TSB is a fantastic opportunity to bring the young people of the UK together on one day to celebrate our amazing athletes from all over the world, and their nations and cultures.’
‘The day will showcase all the work young people are doing on the teams they have been supporting – whether as a class, a year group or a whole school community. We want to encourage schools to involve parents, governors, members of the wider community and other local schools to join together on 25th June for what will be a great celebration of sport and cultures of the world.’
Team GB athlete Zoe Smith commented: ‘The Games are the world’s greatest festivals of sport and London 2012 World Sport Day is a great way to celebrate how London 2012 will bring athletes together from so many different cultures.’
‘I have always been inspired by the Games, mainly because it provides a platform to learn about athletes, cultures, food and language from all over the world. I’m delighted to be part of World Sport Day and to see how it will help young people to learn about these different elements, as well as getting excited about the Games!’
Sally Hancock, director, 2012 Partnership and Group Sponsorship at Lloyds Banking Group added: ‘Since 2008 Lloyds TSB has supported millions of young people in schools across Britain to do more sport through National School Sport Week.’
‘As the Presenting Partner of London 2012 World Sport Day, Lloyds TSB is proud to inspire a new generation of young people to try new sports, embrace the Olympic and Paralympic values, and prepare to welcome the world to the UK for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.’
‘We’re looking forward to sharing the excitement of World Sport Day with schools in our communities as it marks the first day of National School Sport Week 2012.’
