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30/11/2009 - Jonathan Edwards visits Cumbria

Sport leaders, students and young sporting leaders in Cumbria showcased how they are being inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, in a visit on Friday (27th November) by London 2012 Board member Jonathan Edwards.

As well as attending and speaking at Cumbria’s annual 2012 conference at Kendal College, Jonathan led an assembly at The Lakes School & Specialist Sports College (Windermere) where he gave students an insight into his incredible Olympic success, as well as outlining the journey to London 2012. 

Jonathan was also able to see first-hand how London 2012 is encouraging young people in Cumbria to take up more sport and physical activity. Meeting ‘young leaders’ enrolled on sports coaching and management courses, he took part in a mountain bike skills demonstration, and later officially opened the College’s brand new Multi-Use Games Area, which will provide a place for youngsters to play a variety of sports including football, basketball and cricket. 

Jonathan’s visit also took in the LIFE leisure centre at Troutbeck Bridge, which was saved from closure by a charitable trust and is now used as a facility by the school and local community. Here, Jonathan learned about the Trust’s plans to develop the facility, before heading off to attend the annual Cumbria Sports Awards at the Low Wood Hotel.

Jonathan Edwards, Olympic Triple Jump Gold medallist and London 2012 Board member, said: 

“From a brand new sports facility to a second annual London 2012 conference and an evening celebrating the very best of sport, I have been inspired by the range and quality of projects being delivered in Cumbria.  London 2012 truly is ‘Everyone’s Games’ and Cumbria is playing its part in ensuring that its students, sportspeople, businesses and facilities benefit from the UK hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.”

Rob Young, Northwest Coordinator for the 2012 Games, said:

“The Northwest is making fantastic progress not only in helping to support the delivery of the Games, but also in generating a positive legacy for the region - whether that’s through businesses winning contracts, schools becoming involved with the Get Set programme or getting more people into sport. The range of activity that Jonathan saw in Cumbria shows exactly how this is happening.”

Brendan Jameson, Chair of the Cumbria 2012 Steering Group, said:

‘It is important that everyone is aware of and understands that the benefits of staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012 can be felt right here across Cumbria which is why events like this are so important to that cause’.

‘It is fantastic that Jonathan Edwards is in Cumbria to support the work of the Cumbria 2012 Games Steering Group and to see first hand what is being achieved’.

‘This is a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity for Cumbria to showcase itself on the world’s stage’ and we are grateful to Jonathan for coming to Cumbria and to help us in that endeavour’.   

Eddie Edge, Partnership Director of Cumbria Sport Partnership,said:

‘I am delighted that such a high profile figure as Jonathan Edwards has been in Cumbria to attend the Cumbria 2012 Conference and the Cumbria Sports Awards. Our theme this year has been around ‘Inspiring Cumbria’ to maximise the benefits of the Games taking place in London in 2012’. 

‘Jonathan is a truly inspirational figure in sport from his golden days in Athletics and I’m sure that some of that magic ‘gold dust’ has touched various sections of Cumbria’s community today through his visit’. 

ENDS

For further information please contact Rachel Handford, PR Manager on 01925 400237 or 07810 528449 or Rachel.Handford@nwda.co.uk

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The Northwest Regional Development Agency works to deliver economic success in England’s Northwest by building the competitiveness of businesses, people and places.   Working with partners, we are ensuring the region creates positive sporting, social and economic benefits from the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

For photos of Jonathan’s visit please contact Emma Martin emma.martin@cumbriacc.gov.uk 01228 221263