Big Way Of Life

Over seventy 14-19 year olds from across the country attended Wales' second Young Ambassador Conference in November after being selected by their schools and Local Authorities to become Young Ambassadors, tasked with using London 2012 to inspire other young people in their schools and communities to get hooked on sport for life.

The day was led by a team of Olympic and Paralympic Athlete mentors, including Olympic weightlifter Michaela Breeze, Great Britain’s women's field hockey forward Alex Danson and Paralympic silver medalist Clare Strange, as well as a number of experienced Young Ambassadors.

The mentors shared their own experiences of what it’s like to be part of an Olympic and Paralympic Games and encouraged the Ambassadors to think about how they can make London 2012 relevant to their own communities.

A number of experienced Ambassadors also discussed their important role and the ways in which they have made an impact in their schools and communities over the last 12 months. The group of young stars have been assigned the prestigious roles by their schools and Local Authorities, having shown exceptional commitment and ability as young leaders or volunteers.

Central to their mission will be spreading the Olympic and Paralympic values of respect, friendship, personal excellence, courage, determination, inspiration and equality and showing how people can adopt them into their lives. The aim of the conference is to inspire and motivate the Young Ambassadors through London 2012 and the Olympic and Paralympic values, so that they can then go back to their schools and inspire and motivate other young people.

The Young Ambassadors initiative is presented by adidas, delivered by the Youth Sport Trust and supported in Wales by Sport Wales.

Alison Oliver, Director of Sport at the Youth Sport Trust, said: "Our Young Ambassadors programme demonstrates the influence that young people can have as role models with their peers and those younger than themselves.

"Since the initiative launched in 2006, thousands of young people have been recognised by their schools for their ability and exceptional commitment as young leaders or volunteers. With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games drawing closer, these conferences play a crucial role in encouraging Young Ambassadors to harness their passion for sport and use their energy to make London 2012 relevant to other young people within their own schools and local communities". Chair of Sport Wales, Professor Laura McAllister said: "We are in a very exciting and unique time. As we build up to London 2012, sport in this country will receive more profile and publicity than ever. We've also got the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 so the coverage doesn't stop after next year.

"As Young Ambassadors, these young people have the opportunity to promote, develop and sell the benefits of sport in their school and community and have been picked out as having the potential to make a positive difference.

"Sport has a big role to play in Wales and we need young people to help take us to the next level to help us achieve our ambitions of getting every child hooked on sport for life and creating a nation of champions."