Ten young people from Oxfordshire will be going to the London 2012 Paralympics after receiving complimentary tickets through Ticketshare - an initiative that gives people, who would not normally have access to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the chance to go.
The young people have all taken part in the Sportivate project run by the Oxfordshire Sport Partnership in Oxfordshire. Sportivate gives 14- to 25-year-olds, who currently aren’t playing sport in their own time, the chance to find a sport they enjoy. They are then helped to find a club or venue where they can keep taking part.
These lucky young people were eligible to receive tickets to London 2012 after completing a course in a sport of their choice and then continuing to take part for at least three months afterwards.
Sport England Chair, Richard Lewis, said: “It’s great to be able to give these young people the chance to experience the excitement of a Games. By giving sport a go these participants have taken the first step to creating a sporting habit for life.”
LOCOG Chief Executive, Paul Deighton, said: “The Ticketshare initiative is giving many people from across the country the chance to enjoy the magic of a home Games. By providing this opportunity we are ensuring we inspire a generation.”
Sportivate is a part of Sport England’s Olympic legacy programme Places People Play, which is bringing the inspiration and magic of a home Games into communities across England and are being delivered by the network of 49 county sports partnerships, working with local clubs and providers.