BOOST Ambassadors
BEDS STUDENTS PREPARE FOR TRIP OF A LIFETIME TO BEIJING OLYMPICS
Fifteen school and college students have been selected to represent the county at the Beijing Olympics this summer.
The University of Bedfordshire, which is working in partnership with the Bedfordshire and Luton Olympic Opportunities Support Team (BOOST), selected the lucky 15 to go to the Games for one week from 14 August.
As ambassadors the youngsters will undertake a wide variety of tasks and will be expected to help out with community and cultural visits, produce daily on-line reports, look at ways BOOST can benefit from the 2012 Olympics and undertake presentations at the University and when they return from their trip. They will also have the chance to watch Olympic events and sample Chinese culture.
Steve Kendall, Associate Dean of the Partnership Office at the University who has headed the visit, said: “The students went through a rigorous selection process to win a place and they are now preparing for a trip that will certainly inspire them for many years to come. They are all passionate about different aspects of the Olympics and will gain a valuable insight into sport, media, tourism and society in China, which they will share with BOOST and their schools and colleges. It will also be a wonderful opportunity for the 2012 and 2016 Olympic hopefuls to see the Games in action.”
During the Games, the remaining finalists will be based at the University where they will produce daily reports from the students in Beijing and upload blogs about the trip.
On Saturday (21 June) the group will head to London to prepare for their trip. Some of the activities will include a visit to a Chinese exhibition at the V&A Gallery, tasting Chinese food in Regent’s Park and an opportunity to learn some of the language.
Students going to Beijing include:
• Barnfield College - Amy O'Neil, Kelly Hayes and Laura Simpson,
Amy and Laura are active participants in the Beds and Luton Step into Sport Volunteer programme and hope to look at how volunteers are involved in the Games. Police Cadet Kelly is interested in how the public sector can engage with the Olympics.
• Bedford Modern - Katie Kedward
Katie is interested in being an ambassador for Bedfordshire and will look at how the Olympics inspires and benefits the people of China.
• Dame Alice Harpur School - Alexandra Hopkins
Alexandra hopes to follow a career in the media. She is interested in the journalistic opportunities and will be looking at the how the Games are reported both in China and in the UK.
• Luton Sixth Form College - Maxine Bailey and Stuart Garrett
Maxine is a keen sportswoman and badminton coach. She is excited about watching the sporting events and picking up new skills. Stuart has an interest in the sociological aspects of sport and hopes to gain an insight into the impact of the Olympics on society.
• Redborne Upper School - Matthew Clague and Stuart Kemp
Matthew and Stuart are qualified referees and are interested in looking at refereeing at the Games.
• Sharnbrook Upper School - Matt Bergin and Shanaugh Craig
Matt and Shaunagh are committed sports players. Matt’s strengths lie in cross country, football and athletics and Shaunagh has been selected into the U17 England netball talent system. They are both looking forward to seeing sport in action and learning how people can get involved in 2012 Games.
• Vandyke Upper School - Maren Thurow and Matthew Lee
Maren is involved with nearly every sports team at school and has always had an ambition to go the Olympics and see first hand the world’s biggest sporting event. Matthew is a keen basketball player who has recently been selected to represent GB in the 2016 Olympics on the handball team.
• Dunstable College - Daryl Parker and Reniece Kokes
Both Daryl and Reniece are looking forward to being ambassadors and sharing their experiences in the build up to the 2012 Olympics in London.
The University of Bedfordshire has been involved in the build up to the Beijing Olympics for a number of years, having trained more than 100 Chinese journalists in preparation for the Games.
The Bedford campus has also been selected as a 2012 Pre Games Training Camp to potentially host an Olympic and Paralympic squad at the £8m PE and Sport Science Centre and for athletes to stay at Liberty Park - the University’s new halls of residence.
For further information visit www.beds.ac.uk
