Interesting Times!

Monday 27 April 2009

My colleague Chris Walsh, headteacher at Boston Spa School sent me this piece of brilliant news...

"Dear Chris, As a successful Sports College we have been invited to take a lead in a £9 million investment program that is designed to support sporting projects initially in five developing countries around the world. This is the 'International Inspiration' programme which will deliver on the LOCOG promise made to the IOC in Singapore that they would engage and inspire the youth of the world through sport. We have been asked to lead 'International Inspiration' for Bangladesh. The other pilot programmes are taking place in Azerbaijan, Brazil, Palau and Zambia and project work has already started in each of these countries, and we are beginning the work in Asia, with each project representing one of the Olympic rings. The programme is being led by UK Sport, UNICEF, the British Council, the FA Premier League and the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

'International Inspiration' intends to use what we have learnt, as a Sports College, about sports development to transform the lives of millions of children and young people in schools and communities in countries across the world. It will seek not only to help deliver the ambitions on a world wide Olympic legacy but also to lay the foundations for a long term international legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Para Olympic Games. The programme will look to create opportunities for children and young people of all abilities from the most disadvantaged communities in the world to enrich their lives by playing and excelling in sport.

The programme aims include ensuring that any work done is sustainable and will have a lasting benefit across the communities it embraces. Each pilot country will benefit from a number of mutually agreed programmes across the following three strands:
• physical education in schools and school links
• sport development and sporting excellence,
• human and social development through sport
'International Inspiration' will also have a strong link back into the UK through our school links, providing opportunities for us to raise awareness of the issues faced in the developing world.

We consider it a privilege to be asked to undertake this work, not only does it represents the cornerstone of the Olympic legacy, but it will create such brilliant opportunities for young people in both countries. Part of the success of the 2012 bid was the promise that London would inspire children across the world and 'international Inspirations' is LOCOG's key strategy towards fulfilling that ambition. Lord Coe, Chairman of LOCOG, said of 'international Inspiration',

"Our vision is to use the power of the games to inspire change - and changing the lives of young people in particular is the driving force behind our plans. As part of our pledge to the IOC in Singapore, we committed to inspire young people around the world to choose sport. This is a tangible example of how we are delivering on this promise and using the power and magic of sport to change the lives of young people around the world - and leave a lasting international legacy."

Chris"

It is wonderful that Boston Spa has been selected to lead on 'International Inspiration' for Bangladesh and a real compliment to Chris and his talented team.
Chris

No comments:

Brilliant Quotes!

“I must accept life unconditionally. Most people ask for happiness on condition. Happiness can only be felt if you don't set any condition.”
Margaret Lee Runbeck

“Happiness is not in our circumstances but in ourselves. It is not something we see, like a rainbow, or feel, like the heat of a fire. Happiness is something we are.”
John B. Sheerin

“Most true happiness comes from one's inner life, from the disposition of the mind and soul. Admittedly, a good inner life is difficult to achieve, especially in these trying times. It takes reflection and contemplation and self-discipline.”
William L Shirer

“The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase: If you pursue happiness you'll never find it.”
C.P. Snow

“Doubly rich is the man still boyish enough to play, laugh and sing as he carries and emanates sunshine along a friendly road.”
Charles R. Wiers

"Faith is not a shelter against difficulties, but belief in the face of all contradictions."
Paul Tournier

"Convictions are the mainsprings of action, the driving powers of life. What a man lives are his convictions."
Francis C. Kelley

"To do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger; but jump in, and scramble through as well as we can."
Sydney Smith

"It is often just as sacred to laugh as it is to pray"
Charles R. Swindoll

"Things never go so well that one should have no fear; and never so ill that one should have no hope"
Turkish proverb

"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself"
Chinese proverb

"Don't bother to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself."
William Faulkner

"In times of change, learners will inherit the earth,while the learned will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists"
Eric Hoffer

"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."
John Lennon

"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation."
Robert F. Kennedy

"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems."
Mahatma Gandhi

"Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way."
Abraham Lincoln

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Martin Luther King Jr.

"There is nothing in life so difficult that it cannot be overcome. This faith can move mountains. It can change people. It can change the world."
Norman Vincent Peale

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
Albert Einstein

"Life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take but the moments that take our breath away."
Anonymous

"Patience and perseverence have a magical affect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."
John Quincy Adams

"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and woman to win them."
Ralph Waldo Emerson