It was the hottest day so far this summer and the venue at St Luke's school in Exeter was great. The coaches worked hard to give everyone a good time; and it was everyone. The kids, aged from 3 to 15, and the carers who joined in.
I have enjoyed all the days I have attended, but I was so moved on Monday. Kids who have had difficult lives were being given a special day. The organisers ran themselves ragged making sure everyone was having fun and joining in.
London 2012 is being used to encourage more people to get active. I would like the naysayers to come along to the next DASH event and to take part in the many local activities that are being organised.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Friday, 22 July 2011
(Nearly) One Year to Go!
This weekend is the Open Weekend for lots of cultural events. Not any near me, but plenty in London and other cities.
On Monday it is the DASH Games in Devon. These are for looked-after and disabled children in the area and thank goodness someone thought to put on something especially for them. RELAYS is working with the County Council and lots of other partners to run this.
I am invited along and I want to try and get some names for young people to nominate to take part in the Torch Relay via Lloyds Bank. It would be great to see some kids who haven't had much support in life being recognised.
On Wednesday evening it is a Team Devon evening to bring us all up to date on the plans for 2012. In Devon there are to be two overnight stops with the Torch Relays so two chances for fireworks!
Then no events for a month so I can stop and take a breather.
On Monday it is the DASH Games in Devon. These are for looked-after and disabled children in the area and thank goodness someone thought to put on something especially for them. RELAYS is working with the County Council and lots of other partners to run this.
I am invited along and I want to try and get some names for young people to nominate to take part in the Torch Relay via Lloyds Bank. It would be great to see some kids who haven't had much support in life being recognised.
On Wednesday evening it is a Team Devon evening to bring us all up to date on the plans for 2012. In Devon there are to be two overnight stops with the Torch Relays so two chances for fireworks!
Then no events for a month so I can stop and take a breather.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
100% Me!
I helped with an Anti-doping day at Exeter last week run by Scientists in Sport with UK Anti-doping and others.
Did you know that at London 2012 they will test for over 2000 banned substances? What do you think should happen to athletes who fail a test? A lifetime ban, a four year ban or disqualification and bad publicity?
Did you know that at London 2012 they will test for over 2000 banned substances? What do you think should happen to athletes who fail a test? A lifetime ban, a four year ban or disqualification and bad publicity?
Olympian Jason Gardener believed there should be bans.
These and other points led to lively discussions with the 13 year olds present.
Read more on the University website at http://www.exeter.ac.uk/
Monday, 4 July 2011
Devon Games Inspired!
I was ill so couldn't go along, but the photos are great. Despite the wind and rain the kids all had a good time and you can see that for yourself by looking at the photos.
Ryan Scott, the young athlete who came along as the special guest, was a star and wonderful with the kids. He was mobbed! Even the photographer commented how good he was.
See for yourself on the RELAYS website by following the link below.
www.universitiessouthwest.ac.uk/relays.aspx
Ryan Scott, the young athlete who came along as the special guest, was a star and wonderful with the kids. He was mobbed! Even the photographer commented how good he was.
See for yourself on the RELAYS website by following the link below.
www.universitiessouthwest.ac.uk/relays.aspx
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Big bikes and little bikes
This is bike week. It is your chance to channel your inner Victoria or Sir Chris, or in my case to make sure I give them plenty of room when I pass them in my car. Last week there were lots of cyclists on the A30. Are they all heading to John O' Groats?
Did you know that Hornby is making an electric velodrome? Put your bid in now as it will be THE Christmas gift in 2011. My brother explained it as Scaletrix for bikes (!) I tried to find out more on their website but couldn't see anything. It was from an item in Cycling News but see http://www.hornby.com/ to find out more.
I wonder if Lego will come up with cycling Playpeople and will they resemble any of the current stars in British Cycling?
Did you know that Hornby is making an electric velodrome? Put your bid in now as it will be THE Christmas gift in 2011. My brother explained it as Scaletrix for bikes (!) I tried to find out more on their website but couldn't see anything. It was from an item in Cycling News but see http://www.hornby.com/ to find out more.
I wonder if Lego will come up with cycling Playpeople and will they resemble any of the current stars in British Cycling?
Monday, 13 June 2011
I need sunshine
It is chilly and damp and the forecast for the week isn't much better. This could be the year that Devon Games to Inspire gets rained off.
The outdoor pitches can cope with the rain, but I am not sure how many of the kids can. I knew it was a mistake to put so much effort into Being Sunsafe.
Colleagues are now trying to work out how many things we can do indoors in the corridors of the Sports Centre. As we are talking about 1000 kids that will be interesting.
The latest news is that Ryan Scott, a London 2012 hopeful from Bristol, will be coming along to chat to the kids on Saturday. Last year he won a Commonwealth Gold in the 4 x 100m Relay race. I guess he is used to running in the rain.
Read more on the Relays South West Facebook page or on our website
www.universitiessouthwest.ac.uk/relays/
The outdoor pitches can cope with the rain, but I am not sure how many of the kids can. I knew it was a mistake to put so much effort into Being Sunsafe.
Colleagues are now trying to work out how many things we can do indoors in the corridors of the Sports Centre. As we are talking about 1000 kids that will be interesting.
The latest news is that Ryan Scott, a London 2012 hopeful from Bristol, will be coming along to chat to the kids on Saturday. Last year he won a Commonwealth Gold in the 4 x 100m Relay race. I guess he is used to running in the rain.
Read more on the Relays South West Facebook page or on our website
www.universitiessouthwest.ac.uk/relays/
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Get your t-shirts now
As part of the Devon Games to Inspire ,which takes place on June 18th, the young people taking part are given a coloured t-shirt. This identifies which part of the County they represent.
Our supplier tells us that t-shirts are in short supply globally, particularly some colours like magenta. Large and extra-large sizes are also difficult to source.
So, what's the reason for the short supply? Are more people in the world wearing them? Is it due to a cotton harvest failure? Is it just a story we are being given to stop us hassling the company?
Still, I'll look after my favourites more carefully from now on, just in case it is true.
Our supplier tells us that t-shirts are in short supply globally, particularly some colours like magenta. Large and extra-large sizes are also difficult to source.
So, what's the reason for the short supply? Are more people in the world wearing them? Is it due to a cotton harvest failure? Is it just a story we are being given to stop us hassling the company?
Still, I'll look after my favourites more carefully from now on, just in case it is true.
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