About this programme:
The Young Ambassador movement commenced in 2006 following London’s successful Olympic bid where Lord Coe promised the UK would use the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire millions of young people to become involved in sport.
Since its beginning the Young Ambassadors programme has growth from strength to strength and has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark for education and forms an important part of the PE and sport strand of Get Set, the official London 2012 education programme.
In the run up to the Games the Young Ambassador movement is set to grow dramatically. Working in partnership with adidas the movement is now active across the UK and it is our hope that by the start of the Olympic Games there will be around 8,000 fully trained Young Ambassadors.
Central to the Young Ambassador programme is the principle that young people age 14-19 drive opportunity, engagement and change for other young people aged 5-19.
Young Ambassadors are selected due to their sporting talent, and more importantly, due to their outstanding commitment and ability as young leaders or volunteers.
The role of a Young Ambassador involves increasing participation in school sport and PE, spreading the word of the Olympic and Paralympic Values – respect, friendship, personal excellence, courage, determination, inspiration and equality – and promoting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
To help Young Ambassadors perform their role they have access to the London 2012 Get Set education website and the adiStars website developed by adidas.
The Young Ambassador programme is managed by the Youth Sport Trust working in partnership with: adidas; LOCOG; Department for Education; Department for Culture, Media and Sport; Sport Wales; Sport Scotland and Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland.
Target audience:
Young people age 11-19
Issues that this programme tackles:
The programme encourages young people to take on leadership roles while promoting the importance of healthy and active lifestyles and encouraging participation in school sport and PE. It focuses on the importance of the Olympic and Paralympic Values, which are imperative in everyday life.
How is the programme accessed?
England
All Partnership Development Managers are provided with information on how to select their Young Ambassadors, and every School Sport Partnership is offered the opportunity to bring two Young Ambassadors to one of the regional Young Ambassador Conferences which are held during September and October. There is no funding available to SSPs for the programme.
Wales
The programme is delivered in partnership with Sport Wales through the local authorities and schools.
Scotland
The programme is delivered in partnership with Sport Scotland through the local authorities and schools.
Northern Ireland
The programme is delivered by the Youth Sport Trust working closely with DCAL and schools.