Pupils from across Merton battle it out to be selected as Ball Boys and Ball Girls for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Merton’s youngsters who applied and met the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games’ (LOCOG) Young Games Maker Programme criteria took part in the first selection event at Raynes Park High School today (Thursday 10 November).
As part of the sessions, teams from Raynes Park High School and Kings College School were put through their paces and given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and ability during a series of activities and skills drills.
The selection event is the second stage in the process to be a London 2012 Young Games Maker, with schools across Merton and Wandsworth invited to submit applications for teams of young people aged 16 -18 to be Ball Boys and Ball Girls for the Olympic Tennis Event here in Wimbledon.
Further selection events take place over the next week at Harris Academy and Ursuline High School.
From the selection events, successful teams of Young Games Makers will then be invited to attend a series of training sessions and a final selection event from which the final teams will be selected.
Merton Council cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Martin Whelton said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to be involved in the London 2012 Games and we are thrilled to be helping LOCOG in their search. All the young people who are successful in becoming ball boys and girls will have an amazing memory they will be able to take with them for the rest of their lives. The London 2012 Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and Merton is proud to be one of the boroughs in London to be hosting an event. We wish everyone the best of luck.”
Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond said: “To see young people from Merton in the thick of the London 2012 Olympic Games is absolutely fantastic. This is a great way for our young people to get involved.”
Team leader, Steve Hayes from Raynes Park High School explained: “It’s very exciting to be hosting one of the selection events and seeing my team taking part. Having the London 2012 Games in Merton is a fantastic opportunity for everyone and my students are very excited to be a part of it.”
For more information about the London 2012 Young Games Maker volunteering programme please visit http://www.london2012.com/volunteer or call the LOCOG press office on 0203 2012 525.
Notes to editors:
Photos are available upon request
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Press Contact:
Leoni Munslow
Communications Officer
London Borough of Merton
020 8545 4654