Sports Leaders Celebrate Success at Liverpool Convention
More than 70 Sports Leaders from schools, colleges and community groups across the North West joined sport and leisure professionals at Everton Football Club on Thursday 25 November to celebrate their contribution to grassroots sport. Former Olympic athlete and Ambassador for StreetGames, Diane Modahl attended the convention, where she met with local Sports Leaders and helped celebrate the success of sports leadership in the North West. A Dragon’s Den style challenge took place throughout the day, where Sports Leaders gathered into small teams to design a sporting event to be held in their local community, linked to local priorities and tackling local issues. Final ideas were pitched to a guest panel of Dragons, including the former Director of Sport England North West, Sheldon Phillips; Sports Leader, Jenny Platt from Warrington NSPCC; Marie Dixon from the English Federation of Disability Sport, and Tom Fletcher from Liverpool John Moores University. The top three Dragon’s Den teams were awarded prize money to put towards resources that will enable them to put their ideas into practice. As well as celebrating their successes, Sports Leaders had the opportunity to take part in workshops run by Accenture, where they learnt skills to enhance their employability. 11 sport and leisure exhibitors were also on hand to discuss potential employment opportunities and training programmes that Sports Leaders could progress onto following their Sports Leaders UK awards and qualifications. Chief Executive of Sports Leaders UK, Linda Plowright said: “The Leaders for Life conventions enabled Sports Leaders from across the UK to benefit from the further information and opportunities that are available beyond their sports leadership awards and qualifications. “The Sports Leaders did a fantastic job in organising such a successful and productive event. I am thrilled that so many connections were made between Sports Leaders and potential employers, and with the prospect of the Dragon’s Den ideas becoming a reality.” 1 A Sports Leader is anyone that has gained a Sports Leaders UK award or qualification. They organise, communicate and get people involved in sports activities. Sports Leaders are role models; helping others to achieve their goals and encouraging their communities to lead fit and healthy lifestyles. Note to editors: Sports Leaders UK is a charity delivering sports leadership awards and qualifications to more than 200,000 people a year, through 4,000 schools, colleges, local authorities, prisons and young offender units. It acts as an Awarding Body providing nationally recognised qualifications, and has a Foundation to deliver free or subsidised courses in areas of greatest need. Sports Leaders UK Anne Compton, Public Relations T: 01908 689212 E: media@sportsleaders.org