Ceredigion teenager picked for Olympic experience
A sporty sixteen year-old from Lampeter is one of just six young
people from across the UK to be chosen for a London Olympics work
experience placement. (
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Already chosen as an official London 2012 Young Ambassador for
her county, Carwen Richards will spend time during her Easter break
from school overlooking the Olympic Park.
After applying for one of the six work placement opportunities
with The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic
Games (LOCOG), she will spend 3 days
(18th-20th April) at their East London
headquarters.
"When the letter came I couldn't believe
it," said Carwen (pictured). "I think my mum was
more surprised than me.
"Every month I get a newsletter form the Youth Sport
Trust and I noticed the advert in there.
"I really can't wait to go. I'm going to be
working in one of the offices but I hope I can learn as much as I
can about the scale of what is being done to organise the
Games.
"My friends and my school teachers are chuffed for me.
The plan is that I can share the experience with other pupils in
the school and the other young ambassadors in
Ceredigion."
Lampeter Comprehensive School pupil Carwen is one of two Gold
Ambassadors chosen by the Council's Ceredigion Actif as a
county-wide representative to inspire other young people to become
involved in sport in the run-up to London 2012.
As well as the gold level representatives, two Silver
Ambassadors represent each school.
The Young Ambassador movement in Wales is coordinated by Sport
Wales who work in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, adidas
and LOCOG.
Born out of the Singapore Promise, the youngsters' role
involves increasing participation in school sport and PE and
promoting healthy and active lifestyles. They are also responsible
for promoting London 2012 and spreading the word of the Olympic and
Paralympic values - respect, friendship, personal excellence,
courage, determination, inspiration and equality.
A keen sportsperson herself, Carwen was an obvious choice for
the golden
role.
Her week is taken up playing hockey for Llanybydder, her school
and the county, as well as netball for her school. She plays ruby
for Carmarthen Quinns' girls and is also part of the Scarlets'
under 18s regional squad.
"I hope that I can pass on my enjoyment and enthusiasm
for sport in my role as a Young Ambassador and encourage more to
take part," added Carwen, who lives in Pumsaint.
"I've already had the chance to meet other ambassadors
from across Wales and I met Ellie Simmonds (Paralympic swimmer) at
the first young ambassadors' conference in Wales
at the Millennium Stadium.
"With all the milestones leading up to the Games we've
been doing various things in schools, including a mini Olympics and
indoor athletics.
"As well as in school we're working with the 5x60
officers to plan what we can do across Ceredigion.
"I'm doing my A-levels now and I hope I can work in
sport in the future - maybe as a PE teacher.
"The London Marathon is the day before my work placement
and one of my teachers is running, so they will get an extra bit of
support that day."
LOCOG is led by Sebastian Coe and is based in Canary Wharf. It
is responsible for staging a memorable Games in 2012 and recruiting
up to 70,000 volunteers.
Richard Dando is a senior officer at Sport Wales and
co-ordinates the Young Ambassador initiative on a national level.
He said the Welsh Assembly Government and Sport Wales are committed
to getting more people more active in sport.
"We believe that it is essential to empower and inspire
young people in Wales to become role models and
leaders.
"With the right skills and increased confidence they
will be able to encourage and reward their peers to take part in
sport and physical recreation.
"Carwen will be representing young ambassadors from
across Wales and we're all quite envious. It will be an amazing
experience I'm sure to take a look behind the scenes at an Olympic
and Paralympic Games."
Sport Wales 5x60 Officer for Lampeter Comprehensive School,
Arwel Jones commented:
"Carwen is a great asset to the 5x60 scheme in Lampeter.
She's a very keen and enthusiastic individual and has used her role
as a Gold Young Ambassador to encourage and support pupils and
volunteers in the school to get more active.
"Her professionalism, determination and energy has
allowed her to reach her goals and gain respect with everyone at
school.
"Her work experience with LOCOG will be a great reward
for her and we hope that she will benefit from the experience and
bring some of the ideas and information gained back to Wales so we
can utilise them locally and raise the awareness of the Olympic and
Paralympic Games."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWz3Fh2o68Y&feature=channel_video_title
Area served: - For more
information on the Young Ambassadors initiative visit www.youngambassadorswales.org.uk
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