In Singapore in July 2005, London won the right to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the presentation in Singapore, London made a promise to the world that showed the commitment from London to use power of the Games to inspire millions of Young People to choose sport.

This became known as the Singapore Promise. From this the Young Ambassador Programme was born and initiated in the UK summer of 2006 direct response to realising the Singapore Promise. Central to the Young Ambassador programme is the principle of Young People 14-19 driving opportunity, engagement and change for other young people aged 5-19.

Here in Wales the programme was officially launched last Tuesday 5th October at the Millennium Stadium, following the scheme being piloted in Cardiff over the last year.  During this year six outstanding examples of Young Ambassadors for sport have been working in Cardiff, two of which are Whitchurch High pupils.  Steph Harris and Nathan Williams of year 12, had been working as Sports Crew for the 5x60 programme in Whitchurch, assisting on a number of activities and school events.

From here they were both put forward by the 5x60 officers and invited to apply for the Young Ambassador pilot, and were both successful.  Over the last year they have attended several high level events and conferences, including the UK school games that took place in Cardiff last year, and the National School Sports Week show piece at Cardiff International White Water.  Both have had glowing feedback from members of Sport Cardiff, Sport Wales, and the many International athlete mentors they have worked with.

On Tuesday, forty pupils from across all of Wales were officially chosen, and recognised as Wales first ever Gold Level Ambassadors (the highest level in Wales currently), and we are pleased to announce that both Nathan and Steph are part of this first ever group. The group attended workshops with current and former British Olympic athletes, and also had the opportunity to meet and speak with Welsh double gold medal winner Ellie Simmonds.

Steph attended the event as a current Young Ambassador following from her work over the pilot year, and delivered a presentation to her fellow students as part of the training workshops that took place.  Officials from the Youth Sport Trust who run the scheme were full of praise for Steph and her part in the day. 

We’d like to congratulate both Nathan and Steph and thank them for their hard work and commitment over the last year, and wish them all the best on the scheme.

The outcomes of the Young Ambassador Programme:
To develop and support young people as role models and Ambassadors inspired by the 2012 Games for other young people.

To promote and advocate the ethos and values of the Olympic and Paralympic movement amongst young people.

For Young People to champion PE & School Sport within schools and local communities and increase participation.