Fabulous Young Ambassadors Conference Inspired By London 2012 - Blog Archive - 2012 Olympics

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Fabulous Young Ambassadors Conference Inspired By London 2012

Debbie, Young Ambassador25 September 2008

Normally, there’s no way I would be up at 6am but I was really excited to be going to the Young Ambassadors’ conference in York. Young Ambassadors (YAs) are a network of young people, aged 14-19, who advocate the ideals behind the Olympic and Paralympic Games, while getting young people involved in sport. It is part of London 2012’s Inspire programme and will play a key role in sport for young people during the build up to 2012. When we arrived, I was taken to meet Dawn Brooksbank, who's the main organiser of the conferences and head of leadership and volunteering at Youth Sport Trust, who run YA. Every YA was allocated into a group, each named after an Olympic and Paralympic Host City and including an international athlete and an experienced YA - I was in Team Beijing. I was working with England Hockey Player Kerry Williams and Beijing cycling gold-medallist Jamie Staff. In our group, there were 18 new YAs and it was our job to teach them about their role, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and how they can use their role to inspire young people to become involved in sport and know about the Games.

Jasmine Scott, head of the Young Ambassadors' steering group, opened the conference fantastically. She was clear and concise, welcoming the YAs and their teachers, explaining what the day entailed and encouraging them to get the most of the day as they could. I can't believe I'm going to have to do that at the Derby conference! The morning started quite slowly for us; we began by introducing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the YAs and then went on to explain about the YA scheme and what it was all about. Jamie had only got the information the night before so he was a bit unsure and he was still tired from Beijing, but by mid-morning he was really getting into it.

My little presentation bit about my journey as a Young Ambassador went fine and both the videos I'd brought along worked, so I was happy! During my time as a YA, I have created a team of sports ambassadors who help to support me in my role, I have organised a drawing competition to create our partnership flag and also a torch run to give the children a good idea of what the Olympic and Paralympic Games are all about. I have also organised a sports festival for over 425 children which was attended by Olympic gold medallists Dame Kelly Holmes and Duncan Goodhew, and Gladiator Spartan. I have had a fantastic time, meeting lots of new people and doing lots of new things. It has done wonders for my confidence and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my journey.

By the end of the workshop, the new YAs in our group had really got into it and were coming up with loads of ideas of things they could do in their partnership.

Then we came to a competition - how competitive this was! I'm telling you, the Olympic Games are nothing compared to how serious this is! The YAs had to design a YA oath. The judging of the best one from York was done on how loudly you cheered. You were meant to cheer for the best oath, but it didn't really turn out like that!

When it came to my team's turn, Lewis read it out and we cheered really loud, whooping, clapping and standing on the chairs. Jamie whistled and we chanted 'Lewis, Lewis, Lewis!' But...we still didn't win : )

However, the day was superb and I know my YAs are definitely inspired, so we achieved our aim for the day!

As for me, I'm absolutely shattered, but I can't wait to go to Derby, the next conference for me. It will be just as fabulous : )