200 days to go until the London 2012 Paralympics

It's 200 days to go until the London 2012 Paralympics and to celebrate this milestone the Minister for Sport, Huw Lewis AM, talks about Wales' success in developing world class disability sport. 

Sport matters. It does not just reflect the world we live in, it has the power to change it too. And on no stage is this more true than the Paralympics Games. During recent Games, Wales has been inspired by many stories of courage, defeating the odds and of our athletes beating the best in achieving glory for ParalympicsGB.  Already London 2012 promises us more of the same and with it being so much closer to home, the build-up promises to be even more intense.

With just 200 days to go until the start of the Games, the excitement is building by the day - and now is a good time to say congratulations to those Welsh athletes who have already made it into ParalympicsGB . Steve Thomas, from Bridgend, has been selected for sailing and nearly half of the Table Tennis team announced so far is made up of Welsh athletes. They are Sara Head, Paul Davies, Paul Karabardak and Rob Davies. They are coached by Neil Robinson, from Bridgend. 

Neil Robinson

Wales’ record in producing top Paralympic athletes is outstanding. In Beijing, Welsh athletes won a quarter of ParalympicsGB’s gold medal haul, a stunning achievement. I remain very proud of the fact that Wales remains at the forefront of disability sport at all levels - this success is testament to the work of Disability Sport Wales, its officers and its army of volunteers and of course the sheer commitment of athletes and coaches. It is this success, along with our world class facilities, that has helped to attract Paralympic Pre-Games Training Camps to Wales.

This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for our athletes to compete on home soil and I’m sure they will do Wales, and ParalympicsGB proud. 

WHY YOU SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN NATIONAL SCHOOL SPORT WEEK

Richard Dando works for Sport Wales (and a part-time triathlete!) and in our latest blog he spells out the benefits of getting involved with National School Sport Week...

The Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week (NSSW), the UK’s largest celebration of school sport will be happening across the UK between June 27^th to July 1^st 2011 and schools still have the opportunity to sign up to take part in London 2012 inspired activities and be in with a chance of winning amazing prizes. 

The week uses the power and inspiration of London 2012 to get more young people taking part in and understanding the value of sport.  This year’s theme will be ‘Personal Best’ and young people will be invited to pledge to achieve a personal best in an Olympic and Paralympic sport individually, with their class or with their club, at every level and standard.

In 2010 14,000 schools and 5 million young people took part in NSSW across the UK.  In Wales, 176 primary and 83 secondary schools in Wales signed up in 2010 and took part in NSSW and - with London 2012 only five school terms away - we want to get more Welsh schools signed up in 2011. The deadline for registering is 17 June 2011 and nearly 400 schools have so far signed up across Wales.

This is another fantastic opportunity for schools and pupils to be inspired by London 2012 and to help get every child hooked on sport for life. For further information and details on how to register (registration in Welsh available) please visit www.schoolsportweek.org and look out for the bilingual update emails, resources and amazing prizes linked to London 2012. 

Schools that that register and take part in NSSW will be able to use this as evidence towards their London 2012 Get Set Network application and take advantage of further amazing London 2012 opportunities.

For the school, the week can:

·         raise the profile of sport among pupils, parents and colleagues

·         demonstrate your commitment to physical activity, sport and the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

·         engage pupils in your sport and health objectives

·         celebrate your school’s sporting achievements

·         encourage a whole school approach to celebrating London 2012

·         provide primary schools the chance to win tickets for the London 2012 Games

·         provide secondary schools the once in a lifetime chance to carry the Flame in the Olympic Torch Relay

For pupils, the week is an opportunity to:

·         do more physical activity and try new sports

·         take part in competitions and join a club

·         demonstrate and celebrate a personal best

·         develop social, teambuilding and leadership skills

·         build confidence that benefits overall academic performance in school

·         learn about and demonstrate the Values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

·         have fun!

For the local community, the week is an opportunity to:

·         help the local school win amazing prizes by getting parents and the local community  involved by pledging their support to their local school via a designated website

·         win tickets for the London 2012 Games when pledging support to the local school

·         raise the profile of sport within the community

·         encourage links between schools and community clubs

·         encourage parents to volunteer at their local school during NSSW and beyond

·         encourage local Lloyds TSB branch staff to volunteer at a local school during NSSW and beyond