It's a famous old chestnut, but after our day in Worcester and Rugby last week, I have to say the advice to 'never work with children and animals' couldn't be further from the truth!

After an early start (5am to be precise - not a time of the morning I like to see) we caught the train to Birmingham and were met by the Nations and Regions member for the West Midlands, Councillor Chris Saint.  A 45 minute drive saw us arriving at Northwick Primary School in Worcester who were holding a day based around their sub-regional brand 'Raising Our Game' – they certainly did that…

We were introduced to the wonderful Head Teacher Sian Williams who took Seb straight onto the stage in front of the assembly as the school burst into song, singing a song written by one of their teachers, entitled 'Raising Our Game'. The children had banners displaying the Olympic and Paralympic values and the hall literally came alight as the school entertained Seb and former 800m and 1500m runner  and Seoul Olympian, Christina Boxer.





After the assembly we met Will Norman from the GB Blind Football  Team and his dog Minty – the latter made my day when I introduced myself to Will and she gave me a quick lick and a rub to let me know that she was there too!  Will and Minty then met some of the pupils and Will told the pupils about his experiences at the Paralympics in Beijing last year. The pupils will hopefully have the chance to see Will and the rest of the GB Football team in action when The Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford host the World Blind Football Championships in 2010.



We met over 200 children while we were at Northwick Primary School and two of them, Nixie Turner and Shafi Ahmed wrote to us afterwards about how much they and the whole school enjoyed their day:

'On Thursday 30th of April Lord Coe – a former Olympic athlete – came to visit Northwick Manor Primary School to launch the 'Raising Our Game' campaign. Welcomed by the school's anthem, not only was he stunned by the awesome song but also at the sight of the rainbow of colours in the vast audience before him. Within the crowd of excited children were vibrant banners displaying inspirational words linked to the Olympics and our 'Raising Our Game' vision.

'During the assembly (in which Seb was welcomed) many pupils told the LOCOG chairman and other chief visitors about how they tried to 'Raise Their Game' within and outside school. In addition to that, year five/six students participated in a tremendous Olympic-themed dance routine.

'After Seb had departed, we had lots of fun doing a range of activities such as African drumming and weaving. Throughout the jam-packed day children had the opportunity to put 'Raising Our Game' into practice such as through working collaboratively, being inspired by Will Norman (blind Paralympic footballer) and showing enthusiasm by the bucket-load!

'All in all the memorable day was a huge success and the school are going to be working to achieve their goals ready for the 2012 Olympics!'

From Northwick Primary School we headed across town to the University of Worcester, where Will Norman is the Widening Participation Officer and plays alongside fellow GB Blind Football  Team member Keryn Seal. Keryn was running a blind football  session for youngsters and having chatted to Seb, invited him to take a kick at goal. Seb may be a lifelong Chelsea fan but I'm not sure he's quite in Didier Drogba's league when it comes to shots at goal!

The University, one of 35 venues from the West Midlands  featured in the Pre-Games Training Camp Guide, has a wonderful Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, housing not only elite sport but also providing a base for regional development officers including Rowing, the English Federation of Disability Sport and the County Sports Partnership.

The catering team at the University sent us off with much appreciated packed lunches that we tucked into on our drive across the region to Rugby School, home to the legendary headmaster Thomas Arnold.  Arnold is known for his influence on the founder of the Modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin.  While visiting Rugby, de Coubertin  was deeply impressed by the unique emphasis placed on organised sport, something we saw in abundance during our visit. 

[Did you know?: In 1908, when the Olympic Games came to Britain for the first time, Rugby Football was an Olympic sport. Rugby was last played as an Olympic sport in 1924.]

Shortly after we arrived, Seb was asked to start the Girls' 800m Race  and then went on a tour of the sports fields where, despite the rain, hundreds of children from local primary schools were taking part in relay races, Kwik Cricket and Tag Rugby. 'Seb the Sportsman' came out again as he took part in a game of Kwik Cricket.  He did rather well and managed to get a good few hits in before being caught out at left-field (or at least that’s what I think they call it!)





Head of Rugby School Izzy Lever was involved in hosting Seb’s visit, she picks up the story:

'On the 30th April Lord Coe came to Rugby School to unveil a plaque celebrating our links with the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We began to worry as the clouds rolled in and the drizzle began.  However, soon the school jazz band was playing and the Close had filled with over 300 students from local schools, competing in the Mini Olympics.

'Many people realise that Rugby is the school where William Web Ellis started the game of rugby by picking up a football  with 'a fine disregard for the rules'. Fewer realise how great an influence Rugby's historic Head Master, Thomas Arnold, had on the founder of the modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin.

'Lord Coe unveiled the plaque with the words 'our own history is an important part and contribution to the development of the Olympic Movement. None more so than in this school where a predecessor of yours played such a critical role in the creation of the Olympic Movement.'

'It was very special for the school to see its links to the Olympics recognised in this way by Lord Coe, who is not only a great Olympian himself but has been a key figure in the bid for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London. Most of all we enjoyed seeing Thomas Arnold's ideals of a well rounded school-life brought to the fore through all the competitors in our Mini Olympics.'



And finally, after a sprint finish in the Year 6 Relay Race we met Ellie Moxham and Joseph Vickers, part of the winning team from Binley Woods Primary School. We promised that if they wrote a blog for us they would be able to log onto the London 2012 website and see their names – so thank you both!

'Yesterday all of our Year 5 and 6 pupils and one boy and girl from Years 3 and 4 went to Rugby School to take part in a 'Mini Olympics' Competition.

'It was great knowing that Binley Woods Primary School had been invited to take part in the Mini Olympics at Rugby School. But it was even better knowing that Lord Sebastian Coe would be there revealing a plaque, it was really exciting.

'The relay was great fun, and winning was even better! The heats were quite tough, but we lead all the way through. It was an amazing feeling winning! We were all really nervous about the final. It was a nail-biting race! The team started off well, waiting for the baton was a nervous experience, but because our younger runners had done us proud we were clear to receive it. The gap between our team and second place was getting bigger! We passed the finish line, coming first! Phew, brilliant! What an achievement! A day to remember for the rest of our lives!'