Jonathan Edwards visits Derbyshire as the county's Plan for the 2012 Games is launched
The Derbyshire Plan for the 2012 Games has been launched at an event attended by Olympic Gold Medallist Jonathan Edwards CBE.
The record-breaking triple jumper, who is LOCOG’s athlete representative on the board, told a 120-strong audience how the London 2012 plans were on track.
He also said the Games were about the whole of the UK, and that Derbyshire was well positioned to benefit, with opportunities for business and tourism as well as sport.
The Derbyshire Plan for the 2012 Games was launched by the Derbyshire Management Group for the 2012 Games, and was presented by the Group’s Chair, Peter Richardson.
It outlines a number of goals, including inspiring young people, increasing the number of people playing sport in Derbyshire, developing talented sports people in Derbyshire, and encouraging more volunteering in sport in Derbyshire.
The launch also heard from Derbyshire Sport Director David Joy, who told told how partners are committed to working together to maximise opportunities associated with London 2012.
This includes encouraging more people in the county to become active and more involved in sport and creating healthier workplaces, through events such as the Derbyshire Building Society 10k.
Callum Stewart, from Spondon-based construction firm Allenbuild, told how he had joined workmates for the event’s Championing Derbyshire Team Challenge to run his first 10k, having done very little exercise before signing up.
David also told how Derbyshire had identified 2012/2016 hopefuls through the Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund, and spoke to 16-year-old archer Sarah Smith, who is one of 60 sports performers to receive a £300 bursary from the Fund this year.
The launch was held at the Gateway Centre at Derbyshire County Cricket Club, which was last month chosen as a suitable training venue for teams from all over the world to use in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Derbyshire’s Repton School is also included in the London Organising Committee Pre-Games Training Camp Guide.
Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, had been due to attend the launch, but was unable to make the visit due to illness.
Jonathan Edwards (pictured) also met with the Stakeholder Group for Derby’s 'b-active' campaign, which is part of Derby’s legacy from the 2012 Games, working towards a healthy city by increasing participation in sport.
Ahead of his visit a business breakfast hosted by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce was also be held at the Gateway, and heard from Derbyshire companies who have won 2012 Games contracts.
The visit was coordinated by East Midlands Development Agency (emda), which is leading the region’s response to the opportunities associated with London 2012.
Jeff Moore, Chief Executive of emda and London 2012 Nations and Regions Group Member for the East Midlands said: “We have made excellent progress this year putting in place the projects and activities that will deliver a legacy for the East Midlands from the 2012 Games. This visit showcases the hard work being undertaken to ensure Derbyshire benefits from the Games.”
Click here to see the Derbyshire Plan for the 2012 Games.