News

West Sussex is `Ahead of the Game`

Posted on 25/09/08

The countywide initiative to help West Sussex make the most of the 2012 Games was formally launched on Wednesday 17 September.

More than 120 talented schoolchildren from across the county met at Arun Leisure Centre in Felpham for a disability sport training camp. The launch featured a very special opening ceremony led by Dragon Heart Beats, an energetic and theatrical carnival float.

The launch was timed to coincide with Paralympics Handover Day, with special guest Jeanette Chippington, a five time Paralympian swimmer, who gave plenty of advice and encouragement to the young people taking part in basketball, boccia, cricket, new age kurling, swimming and tennis.

The launch was one of a handful of events highlighted by London 2012 as taking place on Paralympic Handover Day.

Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy said: “The success of Team GB at the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, and the local celebrations during the handover of the Games to London, have generated a great amount of interest and enthusiasm, and we look forward to building on this in the lead up to the 2012 Games.”

The West Sussex Arts Partnership is coordinating the cultural programme for 2012. Vice-Chairman Simon Hardy said: “West Sussex has an ambitious plan for an integrated carnival as part of our local celebrations for 2012 and it was wonderful to see performers from Felpham Community College, Littlehampton Community School and The Angmering School contributing to the carnival atmosphere.”

Schools that took part in the sports training camp were: The Angmering School, Manor Green Primary School in Crawley, Newick House School in Burgess Hill, Oak Grove College in Worthing, St Anthony’s School in Chichester, St Paul’s Catholic College in Burgess Hill and Oathall Community College in Haywards Heath. Felpham Community College junior sports leaders assisted.

The sports camp was coordinated by the Sussex County Sports Partnership. Disability Sports Development Officer Katy Russell said: “West Sussex – Ahead of the Game is a wonderful example of preparations for 2012 and will help to raise the profile of disability sports. We are delighted to have contributed to such a great event.”

Arun Leisure Centre is managed by Inspire Leisure, a not for profit leisure trust in the Arun district. Inspire Leisure Chief Executive John Stride said: “Inspire Leisure is pleased to support the launch of West Sussex – Ahead of the Game and we look forward to working together over the next four years in the run-up to the 2012 Games.”

Arun District Council worked closely with Inspire Leisure on the launch. Councillor Norman Dingemans, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Development, said: “Hosting the Olympics is a once in a lifetime experience, and we are committed to ensuring that people in West Sussex get as much out of it as possible. We feel this is the beginning of a very exciting few years for this area and we intend to help people grasp every opportunity that comes along with it.”