10 June 2009
London 2012 Inspire Mark granted to Supporter 2 Reporter North
West
SUPPORTER TO REPORTER North West has been granted the Inspire
Mark – the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme - which
recognises innovative and exceptional projects directly inspired by
the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. S2R is the
award-winning online sports channel, delivered through Radiowaves,
aimed at schools and authorities. The scheme equips young people
with real-life media skills by giving them access to great sporting
events from which they can report alongside some of the UK’s top
journalists.
Seb Coe, Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games
and Paralympic Games said: “The Supporter to Reporter North West
initiative encourages young people to share and develop their
passion for sport whilst learning new media skills alongside
professional mentors, sports people, their peers from other schools
as well as the wider community. I am proud that with the help of
partners such as Radiowaves we are delivering on our vision to use
the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to help these
budding young journalists gain confidence and experience whilst
providing a unique platform for the voice of their generation”
Rob Young, Northwest Coordinator for the 2012 Games adds “It’s
fantastic to see that Supporter 2 Reporter North West has been
awarded the Inspire Mark. The project does exceptional work in
giving young people the opportunity to learn new skills, so it’s a
perfect example of how the Olympic spirit is inspiring everyone to
become part of The Games. I’m really pleased that the
enthusiasm of the team at S2RNW has been recognised, and with an
exciting programme of events coming up this year, there won’t be
any shortage of sporting action to report on.”
Recently, S2RNW recruited a team of 20 young people to report
from the BT Paralympic World Cup over five days and across four
sports. Working alongside some of the UK’s top sports journalists,
they covered world records, explored the Paralympic/Olympic values
and spoke to living legends such as Oscar Pistorius, Ellie
Simmonds, Jonathan Edwards and Natalie du Toit. The S2RNW reporters
demonstrated impressive teamwork helping each other where some
reporters were physically unable or where others had skills they
could share. They worked to tight deadlines, uncovered stories and
generally had a blast amongst the atmosphere of the Paralympic
games.
S2R Project Manager Katy Atkinson explains: “As ever, the reporters
were on a steep learning curve, creating programmes as they went
along, learning upon reflection and deciding how best to repackage
information for an active audience. Being officially recognised by
London 2012 and gaining the Inspire Mark has provided our S2RNW
reporters with a thorough insight into the Paralympic and Olympic
world.”
Their North West trainer and mentor Glyn McGuire (Trafford
Children and Young People's Service) agrees: 'The young
reporters immensely enjoyed covering the BT Paralympic World Cup in
their own city as well as working in the intensive environment of
the world's second biggest Paralympic event. Their coverage adds a
unique and quality angle to the action both in front of, and behind
the scenes.”
Follow the links to some the highlights from the content they
created - look out for Ade Adepitan, Chris Hoy, The Get Set LOCOG
team, Natalie du Toit and loads from the keen reporters…
Notorious Pistorius powers to the podium http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/64950
Who Inspires You? http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/64610
Wall of Challenge http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/64856
Are all Players Equal? <http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/64270
Flying Cundy breaks 200 record http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/64730
NOTES TO EDITORS
About S2R is supported by The Football Foundation and Trafford and
Northampton’s Children’s & Young People’s Services. It is being
delivered through Radiowaves, the BETT Award-winning platform for
schools. Already, some budding young S2R sports journalists have
interviewed Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Chris Hoy, reported from
Champions League matches and the Tour of Britain and even been
interviewed themselves on ITV!
About Radiowaves is the world’s leading social media website in
the education sector providing a safe space for 5-19yrs to publish
audio and video podcasts and connect together within a national
community. Firmly established within the education sector for
the past six years, Radiowaves works with teachers and young people
on a number of large-scale national media projects.
www.radiowaves.co.uk/s2r
About the Inspire programme: The Inspire programme is run by the
London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It
is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the London 2012
Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport
participation, education, sustainability, volunteering, and
business opportunities & skills. New opportunities are being
created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK
to join in.
About London 2012: The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
are delivered by two key organisations – the London 2012 Organising
Committee (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
LOCOG is responsible for staging a memorable Games in 2012. They
will deliver the best possible Olympic and Paralympic Games
experience for everyone involved, enabling a lasting legacy and
inspiring people to join in.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is the public body
responsible for developing and building the new venues and
infrastructure for the Games and converting the Olympic Park for
long-term use after the Games. In the summer of 2012, the UK will
come alive with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
[The four-year Cultural Olympiad will reach a climax with the
Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on 27 July. This event marks the
start of the 60-day festival of sport and culture across the UK
that is the Olympic and Paralympic Games.]
Find out the latest from the London 2012 HQ blog –
london2012.com/blog
Press Contact: For more press information, photographs, logos
or any other enquiry please contact: Cath Mercer, Press
Officer
Email: cathm.mercer@btinternet.com
Tel: 01477 549859 / 07765 960089