Now that the Olympics have finished and in the lull before the Paralympics begin, thoughts have rightly turned to what the Legacy from the Games will be, and in this region specifically what it will be in North Yorkshire.
North Yorkshire Sport, working with National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Authorities, Clubs and Private organisations, are promoting a wide range of opportunities for people locally to get involved, whether that is playing, volunteering, coaching or being an official in sport.
Executive Director of North Yorkshire Sport, David Watson said
If the Games have inspired you to get back in to sport, or try something for the first time, there are lots of opportunities available. For example, anyone aged between 14 and 25 can join a Sportivate programme which provides discounted access to 6, 7 or 8 weeks of coached sport within a local club.
School children will have the opportunity to compete in a wide range of sports for their school with winning schools from each District progressing in to the North Yorkshire School Games which are County level competitions happening in the coming school year.
New and existing sports clubs across North Yorkshire have also spent the time leading up to the Games preparing themselves for new members, increasing the numbers of coaches and opportunities available, with some clubs recently receiving funding from Sport England to upgrade their facilities through the Inspired Facilities fund, so there really is no excuse whatever your age for not getting involved.
Of course playing competitive sport isn’t for everyone and opportunities for more gentle or less formal activities are also readily available across the county.
Much has been made of the Games Makers, the 70,000 volunteers who over the course of the Summer, have fulfilled a vital role in helping to ensure the Games went smoothly. Volunteers are the lifeblood of sport and in order to encourage more volunteering locally, North Yorkshire Sport are leading on SportMakers, a support service to enable more people over the age of 16 to become volunteers in sport.
People who are interested in volunteering can sign up via www.sportmakers.co.uk and receive access to a free informative and inspirational workshop and advice and guidance on how to get involved and become a “SportMaker”. In return for keeping a record on line of their volunteering hours, “SportMakers” receive a free Polo Shirt and are entered in to a monthly prize draw to win High Street shopping vouchers.
“SportMakers” will be able to volunteer in clubs and organisations delivering sport but also in more informal ways such as encouraging work colleagues to have a game of rounders after work on a Friday night or perhaps, with support and guidance from North Yorkshire Sport, plan a legacy inspired Community Games.
David added:
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games were won for this country on the back of a very clear message, that these Games would “Inspire a Generation”. There is no doubt that the Games have done just that and with the opportunities in place across North Yorkshire we are well placed to deliver on the legacy and to ensure that not only does North Yorkshire continue to provide more than its fair share of elite athletes, it also has a healthy and vibrant population playing, volunteering, coaching and officiating in sport for years to come.
If you want to get involved in any of the opportunities mentioned here then contact North Yorkshire Sport via their website at www.northyorkshiresport.co.uk
