Menu
17/10/2011
Olympic Awards For Ulster Outreach Projects
The University of Ulster's Sports Outreach programmes, which encourage young people to be more active using the Olympic Games as inspiration, have received three prestigious national awards.
The London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has given the London 2010 'Inspire’ mark to the Sports Outreach Unit's Sport for Life, Sport for Life Legacy and School Sport Legacy programmes.
The Inspire mark is awarded by the Committee to innovative and exceptional non-commercial projects, which are inspired or energised by the 2012 Games.
Sports Outreach Programme Officer, Richard Gormley, said: "We are delighted to receive these awards. The Sports Outreach Unit works under the motto that Sport is for L.I.F.E (Living, Integration, Fun and Education).
"With this philosophy in mind designing and delivering programmes which aim to inspire young people from areas of social disadvantage to take part in sport and physical activity has great synergy with the Olympic and Paralympic values."
The Unit has also been recognised by Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure Carál Ní Chuilín. She wrote a letter of congratulations saying that this achievement, "is even more commendable given that it is the third Inspire mark to be awarded to a Sports Outreach Unit project, and the sixth to a University of Ulster project - the most received by a single organisation in the north of Ireland".
The first project, Sport for Life, was launched in January 2010. It encourages primary school children to participate in physical activity for life.
Around 100 schools and 3,000 pupils in areas of greatest disadvantage signed up to a 12-week programme, delivered by Ulster Sports Academy student volunteers in partnership with professional teachers.
Following on from this initiative, which concluded in June 2011, the Sport for Life Legacy programme was developed. It offers primary school teacher trainees a two-day intensive Sport for Life course. Therefore a sustainable legacy is being created for children to receive the programme in schools across Northern Ireland in the future.
The most recent programme to receive the Inspire mark, the School Sport
Legacy programme, focuses on delivery of a variety of indoor and outdoor Olympic sport participation sessions and workshops in schools province-wide.
Dr Deirdre Brennan, Director of Sports Outreach at Ulster, said: "Ulster Sports Outreach is dedicated to the provision of high quality work based learning opportunities for students in the Ulster Sports Academy. Our student volunteers who service these programmes are the real champions of the Inspire projects we deliver and we are indebted to them. Their contribution makes a significant positive impact on school sport and physical activity within the province."
Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: "The Sports Outreach programmes are encouraging school pupils to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as the University Of Ulster, we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in physical activity."
This is the first time in Olympic and Paralympic history that non-commercial projects and events have had the opportunity to be officially recognised as being part of the Games.
The Inspire programme is a key way in which people in Northern Ireland can engage with the 2012 Games.
The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is responsible for delivering the Inspire programme in Northern Ireland, as part of its wider strategy to create a local legacy from the 2012 Games.
(BMcC/CD)
The London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has given the London 2010 'Inspire’ mark to the Sports Outreach Unit's Sport for Life, Sport for Life Legacy and School Sport Legacy programmes.
The Inspire mark is awarded by the Committee to innovative and exceptional non-commercial projects, which are inspired or energised by the 2012 Games.
Sports Outreach Programme Officer, Richard Gormley, said: "We are delighted to receive these awards. The Sports Outreach Unit works under the motto that Sport is for L.I.F.E (Living, Integration, Fun and Education).
"With this philosophy in mind designing and delivering programmes which aim to inspire young people from areas of social disadvantage to take part in sport and physical activity has great synergy with the Olympic and Paralympic values."
The Unit has also been recognised by Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure Carál Ní Chuilín. She wrote a letter of congratulations saying that this achievement, "is even more commendable given that it is the third Inspire mark to be awarded to a Sports Outreach Unit project, and the sixth to a University of Ulster project - the most received by a single organisation in the north of Ireland".
The first project, Sport for Life, was launched in January 2010. It encourages primary school children to participate in physical activity for life.
Around 100 schools and 3,000 pupils in areas of greatest disadvantage signed up to a 12-week programme, delivered by Ulster Sports Academy student volunteers in partnership with professional teachers.
Following on from this initiative, which concluded in June 2011, the Sport for Life Legacy programme was developed. It offers primary school teacher trainees a two-day intensive Sport for Life course. Therefore a sustainable legacy is being created for children to receive the programme in schools across Northern Ireland in the future.
The most recent programme to receive the Inspire mark, the School Sport
Legacy programme, focuses on delivery of a variety of indoor and outdoor Olympic sport participation sessions and workshops in schools province-wide.
Dr Deirdre Brennan, Director of Sports Outreach at Ulster, said: "Ulster Sports Outreach is dedicated to the provision of high quality work based learning opportunities for students in the Ulster Sports Academy. Our student volunteers who service these programmes are the real champions of the Inspire projects we deliver and we are indebted to them. Their contribution makes a significant positive impact on school sport and physical activity within the province."
Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: "The Sports Outreach programmes are encouraging school pupils to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as the University Of Ulster, we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in physical activity."
This is the first time in Olympic and Paralympic history that non-commercial projects and events have had the opportunity to be officially recognised as being part of the Games.
The Inspire programme is a key way in which people in Northern Ireland can engage with the 2012 Games.
The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is responsible for delivering the Inspire programme in Northern Ireland, as part of its wider strategy to create a local legacy from the 2012 Games.
(BMcC/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
03 December 2020
£25M Sports Sustainability Fund To Open
A £25M Sports Sustainability Fund, to help those clubs and governing bodies who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, will open for applications tomorrow, Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has announced.
£25M Sports Sustainability Fund To Open
A £25M Sports Sustainability Fund, to help those clubs and governing bodies who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, will open for applications tomorrow, Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has announced.
14 May 2008
Maze 'Ignored' As UK Sports Cabinet Meets
While controversy continues to surround the proposed creation of a Northern Ireland Sports Stadium - most recently with news that local sports chiefs said there was no viable alternative to the original proposal for the former Maze prison outside Lisburn - a high profile delegation is today in Belfast to discuss Northern Ireland's overall sporting
Maze 'Ignored' As UK Sports Cabinet Meets
While controversy continues to surround the proposed creation of a Northern Ireland Sports Stadium - most recently with news that local sports chiefs said there was no viable alternative to the original proposal for the former Maze prison outside Lisburn - a high profile delegation is today in Belfast to discuss Northern Ireland's overall sporting
04 October 2024
Funding Boost For Grassroots Sports Following Olympic Success
Sports Minister Gordon Lyons has announced additional funding for grassroots sports clubs in Northern Ireland, following the country's remarkable performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Funding Boost For Grassroots Sports Following Olympic Success
Sports Minister Gordon Lyons has announced additional funding for grassroots sports clubs in Northern Ireland, following the country's remarkable performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
