News

THE Dorset Echo is celebrating this week after securing media accreditation to report from the 2012 Sailing venue during next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) and the 2012 Media Accreditation Committee said there had been ‘an extraordinary interest and demand from UK media’ to be at the heart of the action.

Only 20 regional reporters and 10 regional photographers will be granted access to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy during the event, which begins on July 27 2012.

Dorset Echo editor Toby Granville, above, said: “We’re delighted that the BOA has seen the value of the Dorset Echo’s credentials and in doing so granted us the rare opportunity to cover the Games.

“We’ll be bringing you all the local coverage directly from the 2012 venue.”

Volunteers

BE THE welcoming smile in 2012 as part of the Weymouth and Portland Ambassador Programme.

Local 2012 volunteering will be critical to the success of the borough’s Olympic and Paralympic experience.

It is critical to the reputation of Weymouth and Portland and the smooth running of everything outside of the London Organising Committee’s direct responsibilities, say organisers.

The Weymouth and Portland Ambassador (WPA) programme is the officially recognised volunteer scheme outside of the London 2012 Games Maker.

WPA will run from July 26 to September 9 2012 - a total of 46 days – and will enable up to 800 people to volunteer at key locations in Weymouth and Portland.

All volunteers will be trained, wear officially branded uniforms and they will be recognised for their valuable 60 hours of commitment.

The WPA application process starts next Friday, June 17, and closes on September 30 2011.

Find out more at www.dorsetforyou.com/dorset2012/wpa

Award

STUDENTS and teachers at Royal Manor Arts College celebrated being officially welcomed in to London 2012’s Get Set network this week.

Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee, presented a plaque commemorating the prestigious award to the school on Monday, in recognition of its commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values.

The school has developed a wide range of Olympic-inspired events including the Morning Star and Pelican Tall Ships voyages, Olympic ambassadors, dinghy and windsurfing lessons, the development of a bike club and its Year 7 students attending the Art of Sport event at Redlands, which aimed to encourage young people to fulfil their potential.

The Portland school now joins schools and colleges across the UK as members of the special London 2012 community – the Get Set network - and will receive access to exclusive competitions and 2012 Games related opportunities over the coming years. Lord Coe said: “Believe it or not this award doesn’t go to that many schools.”

Robert Russell, deputy headteacher, said: “We have worked hard at Royal Manor to use the Olympics to inspire students to take on new and exciting challenges both in their learning and in extra-curricular events such as sailing.”

Sponsorship

A MAJOR sponsorship agreement with 30 of the most successful and internationally renowned athletes from the world of Olympic sailing will be celebrated tonight on Portland.

The new Team Sperry group of world champion sailors from Croatia, France, Great Britain and the United States have secured backing from leading nautical shoes, clothing and accessories brand Sperry Top-Sider.

Already a committed supporter of sailing in the United States with its official footwear sponsorship of the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics, the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup and numerous grassroots events, Sperry is now going global.

Team Sperry’s newly sponsored athletes include Dorset’s Match Race Girls Lucy and Kate Macgregor and Annie Lush, Weymouth’s Saskia Clark and Hannah Mills and Paul Goodison, Portland’s Luke Patience, Stuart Bithell and Giles Scott.

The sponsorship announcement coincides with the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta 2011, at Weymouth and Portland.

Craig Reingold, President, Sperry Top-Sider said: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with these world-class athletes and are looking forward to helping the members of Team Sperry achieve their dreams of reaching the podium in Weymouth in 2012.”

Visit

BRITISH Olympic Association chairman Colin Moynihan is expected to visit the borough tomorrow.

Fourth Baron Moynihan is a former Olympic rowing coxswain who became a businessman, politician and sports administrator.

See Saturday’s Dorset Echo for the full story.

Tickets

DON’T forget to register for free Spectator Day tickets for this Saturday’s medal race day at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta.

Members of the public are invited to experience the thrill of Olympic sailing with live commentary and giant screens, plus a Race Village offering stands, bars and refreshments.

Highlights will also include prize-giving ceremonies and the chance to meet and greet competitors.

To register for Spectator Day tickets visit skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk