On 6 July 2005 Lord Sebastian Coe was quoted as saying the aim of London 2012 was “to reach young people all around the world, to connect them with the inspirational power of the Games, to inspire them to choose sport” Tessa Jowell, Minister for the Olympic said “London is committed to a sporting legacy…London's legacy will reach beyond London”.
We whole heartedly agree with both these sentiments and as the largest sports charity in the UK the Football Foundation is fully committed to seeing young people participating in sport and understanding the wider social benefits of this. One way of doing this is to help groups such as yours understand how you can benefit from the inspirational power of the Games and how the opportunities surrounding London 2012 can assist those you engage and enhance the activity you deliver.
There are a number of questions around the sporting legacy. Some remain unanswered, however we aim to share what we have learnt and keep this site updated with information that may benefit you.
Who is responsible for what?
A lot of different names and acronyms are used in reference to the Olympics and London 2012. We have put together a 'Who Does What' information sheet which aims to explain the roles of the main players. The London Development Agency have a diagram that also explains this.
How can I access funding made available for the Olympic sporting legacy?
It is not currently clear how the funding promised for sporting legacy can be accessed. It is likely that the majority of this will be filtered through the National Governing Bodies (such as the FA) and County Sports Partnerships (CSP). For example, the CSP in London have launched Play Sport London to encourage greater participation in sport in the build up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Sports clubs and community groups can apply for funding to deliver free sporting activity. Money for Summer programmes has already been distributed however you can find out more about how to access funding for the Winter by contacting your local ProActive.
Sport England or Grass Roots Grants also have small pots of funding for sports projects that benefit the local community.
The Learning and Skills Council and Sport England have funding to help aspiring and existing coaches gain qualificiations at level 1, 2 and 3. Further information is available from the coaching bursaries website or the local CSP.
In addition, the following sites provide free searches for funding pots appropriate for your organisation and project. The latter is for sports projects in London only:
http://www.grantnet.com/
http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/Default.aspx
http://www.pro-activelondon.org/funding.asp
How can London 2012 benefit my organisation?
There are many benefits that any sports organisation can gain from London 2012. By harnessing the inspirational power of the Games you could:
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Engage new members
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Attract more volunteers
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Take advantage of a greater desire for community cohesion
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Promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect
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Invite local sporting heroes to your Club
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Increase awareness of disability sports
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Encourage members to gain new qualifications and sign post them to employment pathways
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Demonstrate the sport is accessible to all
What opportunities are there to get involved?
There are a number of opportunities that have arisen as a result of winning the opportunity to host the 2012 Olympic Games. The following web sites provide more information on how to get involved:
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Receive the Inspire Mark recognition for a project that is genuinely inspired by the Games
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Gain training and access to job opportunities in construction or other Games related fields
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Volunteer at the Games. Sign up to the 2012 website and received regular updates on opportunities you can get involved in.
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Get training and volunteering experience leading up to 2012 through the Personal Best programme for those not in employment or education
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Benefit from vocational education and skills training for people who want to work and develop their careers in sport and leisure as well as existing employees who want to improve their skills and career opportunities
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Compete for contract opportunities linked to the London 2012 Games and other major public and private sector buying organisations
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Train to become a technical official at the Games - apply for a bursary to gain a coaching or officiating qualification (London only)
how can I learn more?
There are a number of helpful web sites, which will keep you updated with the latest opportunities and developments surrounding London 2012. All these web sites have e-newsletters you can sign up to, whcih will keep you informed on everything from events taking place to celebrate the build up to London 2012, to sports involved in the Olympics, to the construction developments at the Olympic Park:
London 2012 - home page of London 2012 with information about the Olympic sports, venues, opportunities to get involved, latest news and plans.
London Development Agency - to keep Londers informed about the London 2012 legacy, the Olympic park, jobs and business opportunities etc.
The Big Opportunity - the voice of the Third Sector; building, inspiring and generating Third Sector activity around the 2012 challenge.
Legacy Now - information about the work, initiatives, programmes and events around legacy being led by the LDA and you can provide your thoughts on the Olympic Park legacy plans as they develop
Legacy Trust - for information about a wide range of innovative cultural and sporting activities for all, which celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and will leave a lasting legacy in communities throughout the United Kingdom.
