Bolsover District inspiring sports stars and coaches for London 2012

The London 2012 Organising Committee has awarded Bolsover Leadership and Coaching Academy (BLACA) the Inspire mark in recognition of its excellent community programme.

The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Council led scheme provides a two tiered approach to raising the aspirations and skill base of local people across the District. Since it started in July 2010, the BLACA scheme has been going from strength to strength and has already seen eleven people from the course offered employment in the leisure industry and over one-thousand five hundred hours of community and voluntary work has been undertaken across Bolsover District.

Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Councillor Ann Syrett said, “We are delighted to have achieved the Inspire mark and it shows that our approach to grass roots participation will lead to a lasting legacy and get more people involved and active in sport in the lead up to the 2012 Games. In fact, we have already seen one of our participants, Laurisa Robson go onto bigger and better things after being chosen as an FA Leader to coach youngsters in Trinidad and Tobago - a true lasting legacy thanks to the BLACA programme.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of any athlete’s career and by providing individuals with the opportunities and the right skills through our BLACA scheme, we are hopefully putting them on the right track and inspiring them to reach their goals.”

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said, “We want to use the power of the Games to inspire change. The Inspire programme is recognising the work our partners all round the UK are doing to help us achieve this vision now – one year away from the start of the Games. I congratulate everyone involved in Bolsover District Council’s Leadership and Coaching Academy for securing the Inspire mark and wish you every success with your work.”

Date issued: 23rd November 2011
  
Notes to editors

1. BLACA - funded from The Working Neighbourhoods Fund, with additional support from Bolsover District Council and Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust - aims to help leaders, coaches and volunteers in sport, leisure and active recreation develop their skills, knowledge and confidence to become qualified in the leisure industry.
2. About the Inspire programme: The Inspire programme is run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. It is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the London 2012 Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport participation, education, sustainability, volunteering, and business opportunities & culture. New opportunities are being created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in. The Inspire programme has awarded over 1,400 different projects the Inspire mark.
3. About London 2012: The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are delivered by two key organisations – the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
4. LOCOG is responsible for staging a memorable Games in 2012. They will deliver the best possible Olympic and Paralympic Games experience for everyone involved, enabling a lasting legacy and inspiring people to join in.
5. The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is the public body responsible for developing and building the new venues and infrastructure for the Games and converting the Olympic Park for long-term use after the Games. In the summer of 2012, the UK will come alive with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 November 2011 10:39