Overview
2010 marked the fifth anniversary of the Sainsbury’s UK School Games which took place in Newcastle, Sunderland and Gateshead. Fast Track’s role is to organise the entire event including the choice of host city, building the infrastructure and managing the event and communications.
Objectives
- To provide participants with the feeling of competing in a major event such as the Olympic & Paralympic Games
- To promote competitive sport and raise the profile of school age competitions
- To create year round community engagement and a meaningful legacy
- To deliver the highest level of child protection / welfare
Key Activities
- New Opening & Closing ceremonies hosted by Jill Douglas, featuring sporting icons
- A central kit supplier deal with London 2012 Partner, adidas
- New event branding and signage
- The introduction of Fair Play awards and a cultural/ educational programme to support Olympic & Paralympic values
- Competition Managers ‘Observer programme’ to educate future host cities and key stakeholders on how to stage events
- NGB local club development work to promote the event and attract spectators
- An event specific welfare plan was implemented in conjunction with the NSPCC CPSU
Results
- 1800 athletes competed in 10 sports over a 4 day period
- 14,750 spectators attended
- 384 volunteers trained enhancing capacity for future regional and national events
- 80 Young Officials were trained through the YST/’V’ supported programme
- The ‘Observer programme’ educated other cities about how to stage major events
- An innovative ‘Quick Start Guide to Welfare’ created
- Economic impact over £2m