To launch the nationwide Young Ambassador programme, double Olympic gold medallist and National School Sport Champion Dame Kelly Holmes and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell will today join 150 youngsters at the home of English Premiership champions Chelsea, in West London.

 

This first Young Ambassador conference is one of five taking place across England during June and July with Olympic and Paralympic medallists delivering the workshops to help give the youngsters the skills and knowledge necessary for them to fulfil their roles.

 

The 16 to 17-year-olds, who were specially selected by their schools for showing either outstanding sporting talent or excellent leadership and volunteering skills, will act as role models over the next 12 months to inspire other young people and help identify the opportunities available to schools following Britain’s successful bid for the Games.

 

"London 2012 will inspire new generations, and so who better than our young people to motivate the wider population to seize the opportunities presented by the Games," said Jowell.

 

School Sport Partnerships across the country selected two Young Ambassadors, one boy and one girl, based on them being either a gifted and talented sportsperson or engaged in leadership and volunteering through the Government’s Step into Sport programme.

 

"Those nominated today are the first accredited Young Ambassadors and I hope they will be at the very heart of the Olympic project," said Jowell. "Their enthusiasm and commitment to promoting sport and the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will play a vital part in ensuring that, whether you are six or sixty, from Streatham or Stranraer, you do not miss out on the greatest show on earth.

 

"Sport can deliver many benefits for young people - good health, social development and education. How we realise these benefits was the focus of last years’ international ‘Next Steps Conference’ in Zambia.

 

"I am delighted to announce today that the UK will host the 2007 'Next Steps Conference' in Namibia and I very much hope that some of our own Young Ambassadors will be involved.”

 

Dame Kelly said: “I am delighted to be at Chelsea Football Club to welcome the Young Ambassadors and wish them, and all the young people taking part, every success in their new and exciting role.

 

“I was inspired throughout my sporting career by some amazing people and as Young Ambassadors, these youngsters have the opportunity and the talent to help us build on the huge buzz created by Britain’s successful 2012 bid.

 

“They will become role models to other young people and promote the benefits of sport and a healthy lifestyle – and also hopefully inspire a new breed of medal winners and sporting champions.”

 

The Young Ambassador programme, which is being managed by the Youth Sport Trust on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Education and Skills, has been welcomed by London 2012 chairman Seb Coe.

 

“We know thousands of young people across Britain supported London’s bid and we want to build on that enthusiasm over the next six years," said Coe. "These Young Ambassadors can use the fantastic opportunities the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will present to help inspire more young people to take up sport.”

 

Dame Kelly will also be attending the Young Ambassador conferences at Lancashire County Cricket Club tomorrow and at the National Hockey Stadium, in Milton Keynes, on Thursday June 29.