Press Release 2nd September 2010

London 2012 International Inspiration Programme brings Young Leaders from around the world to North East England.

Young Leaders from around the world are coming together in Gateshead, Newcastle and Sunderland this week. The teenagers have been selected to visit the UK as a result of London 2012’s ground-breaking sports legacy programme, International Inspiration.

The 20 young leaders, aged between 14 and 18 and who have been developing their leadership skills through sport thanks to the programme, come from 10 countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago. For many of them, it will be their first trip abroad.

As well as meeting each other – and 22 young leaders who are from UK schools linked to International Inspiration – they will have the chance to put their leadership skills into practice, by volunteering at the Sainsbury’s UK School Games. They will learn officiating skills for selected sports and work with UK volunteers to help support the Games.

The competition, organised by the Youth Sport Trust, is an annual multi-sport event for the UK’s best young athletes of school-age – who in 2010 will compete over four days in ten sports: athletics, badminton, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, judo, table tennis, swimming and volleyball with disability events in swimming, athletics and table tennis.

International inspiration is the official international sports legacy programme of London 2012 – delivered as a partnership between UK Sport, the British Council and UNICEF. The vision for the programme is to enrich the lives of 12 million children of all abilities, in schools and communities in 20 countries across the world - particularly in developing countries - through the power of high-quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play.

It is a unique programme which benefits from support from London 2012 to engage and inspire young people. It is the first time in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games that an international legacy on this scale has been implemented.

Jairan, an 18 year-old young leader from Brazil, said: ‘The programme has very much influenced my life. I have learnt that small actions can generate large changes in society. Besides that, International Inspiration has made me develop as a person and improved my communication, leadership, teamworking and interpersonal skills. I am now more responsible for my school work, so my performance has improved.

‘I hope to share the experience and training I have gained with school members and the community and I am hopeful that this will impact positively on their lives, broaden their world view and improve their motivation for the practice of sports, volunteering and social activism.’

Sebastian Coe, LOCOG Chair, said: ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these international young leaders and their counterparts in the UK to unite in North East England. International Inspiration has made this happen and is delivering on our promise made in Singapore five years ago to inspire young people across the world to choose sport.’

Baroness Sue Campbell, Youth Sport Trust Chair, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome the International Inspiration Young Leaders from all over the world to North East England. As these teenagers have demonstrated, sport can have a tremendous impact on young lives, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities to pursue excellence both on and off the pitch.  They are a true inspiration and I believe they will have a wonderful time volunteering and putting into practice their leadership skills at this event.’