104 new young Ambassadors attended training at three different venues across Ceredigion to begin their Young Ambassador leadership pathway.
The Young Ambassador leadership pathway is implemented across all schools in Ceredigion and begins at Bronze level, which starts in years five and six at primary school and progresses in secondary school with the levels of Sports Crew, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
The Young Ambassador programme, delivered by Ceredigion Actif, aims to empower and inspire young people to become leaders through sport and help encourage their peers to become hooked on keeping fit.
During the training days, they prepare their ‘pledges’ for the year ahead and these action plans are announced to the rest of the school’s pupils and their parents. They then return to school and start organising activities and events to encourage more children to get active.
The training includes information on picking teams, how to encourage everyone to get involved, Disability Inclusion and Ceredigion Actif programmes such as Fit in 5 and the QR Codes which encourage skill development in early years.
All Bronze Young Ambassadors are tasked with arranging sports and skills for other year 5 & 6 pupils at sports festivals held around the county. Autumn term festivals are for years 5 & 6, Spring term festivals are for years 3 & 4 and Summer term festivals are for foundation phase children. They are also required to run lunchtime and after school clubs back at their schools.
Alwyn Davies is Active Young People Manager for Ceredigion County Council. He said “We’re really excited with this new group of young leaders. Now that they’ve attended the training days, they are ready to start delivering opportunities back at their schools. They will mostly lead lunchtime and after school clubs with the aim of getting more children active, creating an interest in health and wellbeing and improving children’s confidence to try a wide range of activities.
“In their first month, we will be asking them to work with us to provide a range of activities at our multi sports festival. This will be a useful way of mentoring them slowly as they start to achieve results. They have received their polo shirts and are eager to start on the leadership ladder.”
Councillor Catrin Miles is the Cabinet member responsible for Leisure Services. She said, “I’m very impressed to see the vast amount of young people interested in being Young Ambassadors. Fitness and well-being are key to the development of young people, and these new young Bronze Ambassadors will be role models in Ceredigion schools. I wish them the very best.”
For more information, or to learn more about opportunities that are available to you, go over to Ceredigion Actif’s Facebook and Twitter pages or visit their website on www.ceredigionactif.org.uk. You can also contact Alwyn Davies, Active Young People Manager on 01970 633 695 or by e-mail on Alwyn.Davies@ceredigion.gov.uk.
15/10/2019