Details of the 2007 UK School Games opening and closing ceremonies were announced in Coventry today, as it was also revealed that the competition will be broadcast for the first time on Channel 4.
Next month’s showpiece event will feature some of the most talented sporting youngsters of school age, competing in eight different sports at five venues in the West Midlands city, from 23rd to 26th August.
The Opening Ceremony of the second UK School Games will take place at 8.30pm on Thursday 23rd August at the Sky Dome Arena.
It will include a spectacular ice show, an introduction to the competing athletes, and three oaths to be read on behalf of all athletes, officials and volunteers.
The Closing Ceremony will be held at 8.30pm on Sunday 26th August at the University of Warwick. It will mark the official close of the 2007 UK School Games.
For the first time in the event’s history, Channel 4 will broadcast two, one-hour UK School Games programmes from 8.00am to 9.00am on Sunday 16th and Sunday 23rd September.
This exciting news was revealed as Britain’s Olympic badminton silver medallist Gail Emms added her support to the event at a press conference in Coventry.
She was joined by 2006 UK School Games double gold medallist and British senior table tennis international Kelly Sibley and Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, the body responsible for delivering the Games.
Emms, whose own sport of badminton will make its debut at the competition this year, said: “I’m delighted to be supporting the UK School Games and think it’s great that badminton has been included this year.
“Experiencing a big multi-sport competition and the events that go with it, like opening and closing ceremonies, is a big opportunity for our young players and I hope that they learn from it and have fun.”
Local favourite Sibley from Leamington Spa, is too old to compete this year but she’s still a big fan of the event.
Sibley said: “I think the UK School Games is a fantastic competition and I’m very proud that I won two gold medals at the very first one in Glasgow. It was a really well organised event and compares very well to many of the major senior championships I’ve played in around the world.
“It will be great for Coventry and the West Midlands and I hope everyone will come out to support the competitors.”
Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust said: “As the countdown to this year’s UK School Games continues and the excitement builds, I’m delighted to be able to announce the details of the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies, which will provide a memorable and fitting start and close to the event for all those involved, whether they are competitors, volunteers or spectators.
“I’m also delighted to welcome Channel 4 to this year’s Games, and look forward to working with them on their programming for this year’s competition.”
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For further information about the UK School Games please contact Fast Track: Lisa Harper or Alex Brown 0207 593 5200.
Notes to editors:
1. The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, was set up in June 2004. It gives grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK and rolls out nearly £2 million in Lottery money every day.
The 2007 UK School Games in Coventry are being funded through £2.3 million of Lottery money awarded by the Millennium Commission in 2006, for which the Big Lottery Fund is now responsible.
Big Lottery Fund, DCMS and Arts Council England are supporting a legacy trust with over £40 million to fund sporting and cultural activity across the country in the lead up to London 2012. A portion of the funding will be dedicated to the funding of the UK School Games from 2008 to 2011. Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888 / Out of hours: 07867 500 572
Full details of the work of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
2. The Youth Sport Trust is a registered charity established in 1994 to build a brighter future for young people through sport. Its mission is to support the education and development of all young people through sport. Please visit www.youthsporttrust.org for more information.
3. Fast Track have been appointed by the Youth Sport Trust to deliver event management and media services for the UK School Games
4. Visa’s corporate commitment to the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Movement, the National Olympic and Paralympic Committees and national teams and individuals, has been an important factor in ensuring the continuance and success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Visa is signed up as a worldwide partner to both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games until 2012 and as such is firmly committed to the success of London 2012.
5. Coventry has a 'can-do' reputation for events, with the capture of this year's UK School Games following on from last year's International Children's Games, the annual Lady Godiva Half-Marathon and a packed annual events programme including Godiva, Jazz, Motoring and Mad UK festivals.
6. Coventry is proud to be located in the West Midlands, at the heart of it all. www.westmidlandsregion.co.uk