Legacy League granted the Inspire Mark
13th September 2011
Legacy League granted the London 2012 Inspire Mark
The newly-formed Legacy League has been granted a coveted Inspire Mark in the countdown to London 2012.
The Ricoh Arena and Coventry City Council have joined forces with the Birmingham County FA to inspire girls at schools in Coventry and Warwickshire to play football in the Legacy League.
The formation of the scheme for year nine and ten students has earned an Inspire Mark from the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises innovative and exceptional projects that have been directly influenced by the 2012 Olympic and Paralymic Games.
The Legacy League will be split into two halves – from September to November this year and from February to April next year.
A Legacy Cup tournament will also run alongside the league as part of the countdown to 12 Olympic women’s and men’s football matches being staged at the City of Coventry Stadium – as the venue will be known for the duration of the Games – starting on July 25, 2012.
Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “We want to use the power of the Games to inspire change. The Inspire programme is recognising the work our partners all round the UK are doing to help us achieve this vision now – less than one year away from the start of the Games. I congratulate everyone involved in the Legacy League for securing the Inspire mark and wish you every success with your work.”
Liz Cooper, marketing director at the Ricoh Arena, said the initial response to the Legacy League from schools has been extremely positive and the organisers were delighted to have received the Inspire Mark.
“As part of the build-up to London 2012, it seemed a perfect opportunity to set up the Legacy League to give girls the opportunity to aspire to take part in organised football matches,” she said.
“We launched it in March with help from Foxford School and then invited several schools to play on the Ricoh’s pitch after the FA Women’s Cup final which was a great success.
“We are now in regular communication with sports teachers and the Birmingham County FA is helping with coaching.
“We are hoping to have 176 girls involved from the 15 schools who attended the launch event which included Finham Park, Coundon Court, President Kennedy School and Community College, Tile Hill Wood School and Language College and Coleshill School but we are keen for more to take part particularly from Warwickshire.
“Going forward once the league is established, we hope to wide the age groups involved.
“The ambition of London 2012 is to create an Olympic Games for everyone and we have reflected this in our project by motivating and encouraging girls to try a different sport.
“We hope receiving the Inspire Mark will lead to creating a lasting legacy of increasing girls’ participation in football.”
Any schools interested in entering the League League should contact Jenny Shortt on jenny.shortt@ricoharena.com or telephone 0844 873 6323.
