13 March 2008
Multi-medal winning Paralympian Marc Woods speaks ahead of the Step into Sport Camp
Loughborough University
One of Britain’s most successful-ever Paralympians has called on more young people to volunteer in sport and “share a stage with the world’s greatest athletes”.
Marc Woods, who swam his way to 12 Paralympic medals, including four golds, at five Games was speaking ahead of a major four-day event for 200 of the nation’s most active young volunteers.
Woods will officially open the Youth Sport Trust’s Step into Sport Camp at 3.30pm on Monday 17th March 2008 at Loughborough University.
England rugby player and World Cup winner Lewis Moody, Great Britain sprinter and Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Children, Schools and Families Kevin Brennan will also be attending the camp.
Woods said: “People forget that major sporting events, like the Olympic and Paralympic Games are not just enjoyed by the world’s elite athletes. Thousands of volunteers at these events, such as coaches, race marshals, coach drivers, technical officials or administrators can all experience the excitement, inspiration and thrill of being part of the greatest sporting spectacle on earth.
“The youngsters involved in the Step into Sport Camp have already taken their first steps towards the possibility of one day sharing a stage with the world’s greatest athletes by giving up their time to volunteer at local schools, sports festivals and clubs.
“I would urge more young people to join them in becoming the next generation of young leaders and volunteers and help drive sport forward because sport, from grassroots to elite events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games, would not survive without the passionate support of millions of volunteers.”
In a survey* of 11-19 year olds carried out by the Youth Sport Trust, more than eight out of ten (83%) said volunteering was a rewarding and fun experience, while six out of ten had helped organise a sports activity.
The sporting event most young people would like to volunteer at was the Olympic and Paralympic Games (42%) followed by the Football World Cup (24%) and the Rugby World Cup (9%).
Almost seven out of ten young people surveyed believed being a leader made them more popular at school.
The annual Step into Sport Camp is one of the highlights of the national Step into Sport programme which gives young people the skills, qualifications and experience to become volunteers and leaders in sport. These skills are also transferable into further education and careers.
Annually, the Step into Sport programme enables around 4,500 young people to become volunteers and leaders within their own communities.
The 16-19 year olds attending the camp at Loughborough University will be given the opportunity to work alongside elite athlete mentors, achieve nationally recognised sports coaching awards and share workshops on leadership, responsibility and respect.
On the final day of the camp, four young volunteers who have excelled during the week will win an exchange trip to Maine, USA.
Sue Campbell, Chair of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “By becoming involved in sport as volunteers and leaders, young people can not only help and support others, they can gain so much more themselves; through meeting new people, learning new skills, having fun and experiencing things they may not have thought possible.
"The Step into Sport programme recognises the outstanding contribution that young people can and are making to PE and sport through leadership and volunteering as we work towards offering all young people access to five hours a week of high quality PE and sport by 2012.”
The Step into Sport programme is supported by Sport England and Sports Leaders UK and builds on the Government's investment in school and community sport.
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Interview/photo opportunities
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Marc Woods will officially open the camp on Monday 17th. He is available for interview/photos between 2pm and 2.45pm.
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Lewis Moody will join the young people as they achieve national sports awards on Wednesday 19th. He is available for interview/photos between 12noon and 1pm.
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Darren Campbell will officially close the camp on Thursday 20th. He is available for interview/photos between 12.15pm and 1pm.
To request an interview or picture opportunity or for more information, please contact the Youth Sport Trust press office on 020 7278 7208.
Notes to Editors
- Youth Sport Trust-commissioned survey by Dubit of 800 UK 11-19 year olds.
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Step into Sport is a strand of the Government's National PE and Sport Strategy for Young People and focuses on giving 11 to 19 year olds the opportunity to become involved in sports leadership and volunteering. Step into Sport is managed and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, Sport England and Sports Leaders UK.
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The overall aim of the National PE and Sport Strategy for Young People, also known as the PE, School Sport and Club Links (PESCCL) Strategy, is to enhance the take-up of sporting opportunities by children aged five to 16 years. The strategy focuses on increasing the number of schoolchildren taking part in high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum. The Government has also set a further target of getting all children aged five to 16 years to participate in at least five hours of sport every week by 2012.
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Youth Sport Trust is a registered charity established in 1994 to build a brighter future for young people through sport. Please visit www.youthsporttrust.org for more information.