13 January 2006
England's Northwest preparing for 2012
The Northwest will today discuss how it can benefit from the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games at a special conference which will warmly welcome Sebastian Coe, Chair of London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), to the region.
Fresh from London's successful Olympic bid, Sebastian Coe will be taking the opportunity to visit Old Trafford, which will host events in both the men's and women's football tournament in 2012. There, he will outline the London 2012 Vision and the UK-wide opportunities the Games present.
Sebastian Coe is delighted that Charles Allen, Chairman of the Nations and Regions Group (NRG) formed by LOCOG, is committed to ensuring that London's Games result in nationwide benefits. To ensure the Northwest is given every opportunity to fully exploit all potential benefits, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Sport England, with regional partners, have established a steering group that is currently developing a comprehensive benefit plan for the Northwest.
The conference will include a variety of speakers from the sporting and business worlds. Together they will examine the opportunities and benefits that the Games could bring sport, business, tourism and culture in England's Northwest.
Speakers include Cllr Dr Pauleen Lane CBE, (NWDA Board Member), Jon Armstrong (LOCOG Nations & Regions Manager), Felicity Goodey (Chair of England's Northwest Tourism Forum), Loyd Grossman (Chair of Culture Northwest) and Andy Worthington (Chair of NW Sports Board and NW Steering Group).
Peter Mearns, NWDA Director of Marketing, welcomed Lord Coe to the Northwest:
"In England's Northwest, we are working hard to develop structures to support the delivery of London 2012, which could see huge benefits generated for sport and regeneration here in our region. The Northwest has considerable experience of hosting major international events including the staging of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, which had significant economic and social benefits - we will be sharing this experience and knowledge with LOCOG. Sebastian Coe's visit today is a great boost for the region and will help to pave the way in ensuring that the Northwest plays a full part in a successful 2012 Games."
Sebastian Coe, Chair of London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), said:
"We owe much to the Northwest. The Commonwealth Games in 2002 was a great success and we can benefit from the experience and knowledge the region can share with us. We need to work closely together to realise all the opportunities available and build on events such as Liverpool winning European Capital of Culture 2008 to ensure that the 2012 Games are a great success."
Andy Worthington, Chair of NW Sports Board and England's Northwest Steering Group for the 2012 Games, who represents the region on the London 2012 Nations and Regions Group, said:
"We are delighted that Sebastian Coe is in the region to help us bring the Olympic feel good factor to life, and it's so appropriate that we start our journey in the theatre of dreams! It's a great time to be involved in sport and connect with the Games movement here in the Northwest. We have so much to gain from the Games coming to the UK. This conference will add momentum to the importance of sport in the region, and motivate organisations, aspiring athletes, coaches and volunteers to seize the opportunities that will be discussed at the conference.
"This is the first of many interactions we want to support between sport, business, education, health, and other sectors with a role to play in sport and the Games movement. Sport really matters to people. Sport England is already investing in governing bodies, volunteers, coaches and clubs to create a thriving sporting infrastructure to be fit for 2012. We want to ensure that the Northwest is ready for this, and ensure that as many people as possible can connect with the Games and live the Olympic dream!"
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Notes to Editors
- Photographs of Sebastian Coe's visit to Old Trafford are available on request.
- The Nations & Regions Group's aim is to ensure that the United Kingdom as a whole benefits from the great opportunities created by staging the Games in 2012. Charles Allen will chair the group, which will have high level representation from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as each of the English Regions.
For further information please contact Rachel Ormandy, Senior Press Officer on 01925 400237 or 07810 528449 or Rachel.Ormandy@NWDA.co.uk
For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk