Friday 18th May 2012

Young people in Chesterfield were given their chance to shine at an event, hosted by Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Sport, at the b2net stadium this morning.

The Shine 2012 celebration co-incided with the arrival of the Olympic Flame in the UK today. Attended by local dignitaries, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield and many sporting and cultural representatives from local organisations, a packed day included talks from Chesterfield Olympians and Paralympians and Olympic hopefuls, and performances by Derbyshire's Poet Laureate, Matt Black.



13 replica torches, (above) created as part of a design competition last were also presented to school representatives from across the town. Designed as a symbol of friendship between schools and their communities the torches will be made available to local event organisers for the duration of the Olympics and Paralympics.



100 students from Brookfield School (above) also took part in a synchronsied 'Big Dance School Pledge' which saw them take to the pitch at the b2net at 1pm to join other schools around the world dancing to the same choreography at the same time in attempt to break the current record, held by the Netherlands (264,188 and 1,472 locations). Rehearsals had been punctuated by some unfortunate timing of the b2net sprinklers, provoking squeals of laughter!

Guests also heard from local people selected to be torch bearers and were entertained by children from Newbold CE Primary school and their rendition of 'Just like an athlete'.

Chesterfield's own Olympic hopeful, Liam Pitchford, who is currently No 1 in the UK Table Tennis rankings, will learn next week whether he has qualified for a place in the UK Olympic squad.

18 year old Liam says he's desperate to hear, but hopeful of inclusion, "We find out next Tuesday, so exciting and nervous times at the moment! I'm world number 19 and UK number 1, there's 3 places for the team event and 3 players that are quite a bit above the rest, so I'm hoping I'm in."



A Chesterfield lad, Liam (above) is indicative of how local grass roots clubs and volunteers make a difference and proof that anyone can be a top athlete with hard work and support, "I started at 9 at Brimington junior school, it was a rainy lunchtime and two friends and I went in - just to do something - really liked it, and carried it on! Colin Deaton started us off - he sadly died 4 years ago - and we progressed to the England team.

"Local support has been vital" Liam told us, "I've had a lot of support from Derbyshire Sport and ICON and have the Table Tennis Academy in Sheffield so I can stay at home luckily and I don't have to travel. Funding is difficult but it is improving. It's great what these guys do financially and I can put it to training and travelling.

"My parents are very proud, they'd be proud whatever I did, they support me but they don't get too involved as I prefer it that way. They have tickets for the table tennis so hopefully they'll see me!"

Chesterfield girl, Ellie Koyander, (below) has the honour of being the youngest athlete to represent the UK as part of Team GB at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. She is a 'mogul' competitor which is, "A freestyle discipline, bumps of snow on a steep slope, with 2 jumps, my favourite trick is a back flip at the bottom."


Picture courtesy of Ellie's website www.elliekoyander.com

I grew up in Chesterfield and was also very active, a real action girl, and learned to ski when I was 1 and a half years old on family holidays. We did lots of family holidays and then snow domes and the Ski Centre at Sheffield and realised that I was pretty good at it. I saw the Winter Olympics in 2006 - I didn't know mogul was an Olympic sport, and was determined to do it. Four years later I did at Vancouver."

She agrees with Liam that opportunities are vital, "Facilities are really important, you need a great centre, Brampton Manor and the Derbyshire Institute of Sport have been brilliant in providing us with facilities . It's a great base as well, a second home, and they're always very friendly and welcoming and it means we're able to work hard."

Ellie is grateful for all the help and support locally, "Financially, I am a student, I am fully funded, we can't thank ICON enough, not just the businesses already involved, but also new ones that we'd like to come on board. It is a great cause and we do need your help - having it is so important to us as we go off to represent Great Britain."

Martin Mansell (below) is a Paralympian who won 9 medals as a swimmer in the 1984-88 games. He now helps to inspire and support young people as they strive to become top of their game.


picture courtesy of www.bmsi.ru

He told us that it's an important role, and one he is very proud to have, "It was incredible to represent my country. The first time was wonderful but to get selected twice was more of an honour. The 1988 games - the turning of the Paralympic period, now known as the modern Paralympics - were an honour to be at and see the transformation between the two. A very proud moment, irrespective of whether you won a medal or not, but obviously winning medals tops it all off for you.



"The medals (above) sit at home, out of the way, but occasionally I bring them out for events like these, but it's always in your head, you know what you've done but now it's about inspiring others to do what I've done.

"It's great that the games are here, and that one of the things that won the games for us was the inclusiveness of the Paralympics within, so that's great, and another big stepping stone for the Paralympics to move on - and we'll see what 2012 does. Rio de Janiero has to follow on for the Summer games and the pressure will be on them. Beijing was a fantastic experience, but London will do a great job and I'm so looking forward to being there."

He says that future Investment is key, "We all talk about 2012, I'm thinking beyond that now, what are we doing in Derbyshire to inspire people and cultural things as well, not just sport, but dance and physical activity. 2014 (The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow) and 2016 in Rio are coming - what can we do so young people in 20 years will be sitting like we are now and talking about inspiration?"

Cllr john Burrows, Leader of the Borough Council, told the room that, "It has been interesting to hear how businesses support these young athletes, there is a great deal of support from the business community but we do need to recognise that parents deserve recognition for the work they put in to helping their children to achieve."

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