Paralympic Handover 17 9 08
An estimated 5,000 schools and colleges across the UK took up London 2012’s invitation to lead the celebrations and welcome the Paralympic Games home, on the day London Mayor Boris Johnson received the Paralympic Flag during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
In the South West alone, 273 schools and colleges officially registered to be part of the Paralympic Handover with many more also taking part in activities.
The Wiltshire and Swindon 2012 Paralympic Handover event took place at Sheldon School on Wednesday 17th September. This event marked the end of the games in Beijing and celebrated the handing over of the torch to Great Britain for London 2012. Each county within the South West was tasked with hosting an event to highlight one particular Paralympic sport. Video and media coverage of this has then been merged together with the other 6 counties to form a relay of events across the South West, which will be available online soon. Kerry Ann Sheppard, Senior Competition Manager stated that “the aim of the event was to help raise the profile of the Paralympic Games amongst young people both with and without a disability”.
The event jointly organised by the Kerry Ann and Simon Woodhouse (WASP) was supported enthusiastically by 10 schools including Special Schools from around the county and also Sports Colleges. Over 140 young people took part in the event including Sporting Ambassadors from Sheldon School who acted as officials, coaches and guides around the site. Participants took part in a range of activities starting with the focus athletics event and followed by a combination of wheelchair basketball, tai chi, boccia, indoor curling and interactive indoor rowing and blind football. All events were extremely well received by both staff and young people. Maggie Sparrow, teacher at Rowdeford School said “We’ve all had a fantastic day and are looking forward to other events which our children can take part in”.
Participants, teachers and organisers wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped make the day so successful and fun. A great example of what partnership working can produce!
The festivities across the region gave children and young people their first taste of the creativity and inspiration that will be found throughout the London 2012 domestic education programme called ‘Get Set’ which went live on 18 September. A new interactive ‘Get Set’ website can be found at www.london2012.com/getset.
The interactive website supports children and young people in learning about the Games and, exploring and committing to the Paralympic Values of inspiration, determination, courage and equality and the Olympic Values of respect, excellence and friendship.
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