The Life Of a Young Ambassador 2012

Young Ambassador Conferences

2010-10-17T21:50:00.003+01:00

September was my 1 year anniversary of me becoming a Young Ambassador. I am now a Platinum Ambassador.

As I am a member of the National Steering Panel, I was Invited too two different young ambassador conferences. The conferences are where the new Young Ambassadors are recruited and trained.

I was selected too work with a group of new ambassadors too speak about my experiences and offer my advice.

I was then thrown in the deep-end by being ask to speak on stage in front of around 400 people, which is completely out of my comfort zone!! But once i was up there on stage i was fine!!

I wish all of the new and old ambassadors the very best of look!

Sophie
www.twitter.com/ya2012

London 2010 Trip

2010-08-30T20:11:00.003+01:00

Hello Everyone!!

Back in July, I got a place on the national steering panel for the uk Young ambassadors. We had too go to London to have our induction!

The first dayy, we all met for the first time at The Ramarda Javis hyde park. I was really nervous!! But once we were all together we all really got on!
we then headed to the British Olympic Asscoication For group discussions and debates. Then too Adidas too work on an internet projec, which will becoming to the surface very soon! Our evening meal was at th HARD ROCK Cafe, so we could all chat and get too know each other!

Day 2 started with canoeing in the docklands, which unfortunatly i had to sit out because of a serious knee injury. However it was very fun watching everyone else, especially as one team fell in! Then we headed too LOCOG, where we were given a tour of the offices, and had a meeting about the london 2012 educational programme called GET SET. Then a Tour of the cricket groud lords, where we discusssed the history of the venue and the events that will be held at the venue.

On the Final day we had a tour of the olympic village and the surronding areas. Then we headed too a 'Two years to goo' event called 60/60 dance. 60/60 dance is where there are 60 different types of dance in 60 minutes.

I throughly enjoyed the three days and cant wiat too keep working as apart of the National Steering Panel!

Next stop for me is the UK School Games

Please keep following www.twitter.com/YA2012

Sophie

My Latest

2010-07-11T21:22:00.002+01:00

Hello Everyone!

I have a very busy month coming up with all my work for @YA2012, so i thought i should let you all know whats going on!

It all Starts tomorrow, when i attend the training day for the UK School Games, in Gateshead. I am then going into newcastle to look for a dress for a London 2012 party (i will explain more later)

Next Friday (16th July) i am attending an awards ceremony for my leadership work. Craig Heap, retired olympic Gymnast will be presenting the awards.

One the 21st of July, I will be travelling down to london, to see the lion king with my old school.
Then on the 22nd, i travel across london to meet up with the rest of the natinal steering panel for the young ambassador campaign. I am with the national stering panel for 3 days and some of the activities include;
-Group meetings at the British Olympic Association.
-A tour of Addidas Head Quaters
-Canoeing on the Docklands
-Tour of LOCOG
-A meal at Jaimie olivers restraunt
- A tour of Lords
-and attending the London 2012 Open weekend events.

I will be travellin home, and then travelling back to london For the 2 year Countdown to the Games.

Sophie

Welcome Wenlock and Mandeville

2010-05-23T17:20:00.003+01:00

Wednesday 19th May 2010, remember the date!
This is the date we finally got to meet the mascots of london 2012, Wenlock and Mandeville.
The first time i got to see them was on BBC's The One show. As the material was removed that was covering the mascots, i didnt intially go 'WOW' or 'BOO' i went 'oooh'. I think the reason for this was because it wasnt a stuffed animal, which i am so pleased about. Almost every stuffed animal has been used in the past.
But London's going to be different. Some people don't like them, i think it's because they ARE mordern AND different. But well all have to remember the worlds a different place these days. We live in a time of technology and computer games, both of which are supported by the two mascots.

These arent just any mascots, that were thought up in one second. They actually have a story behind every detail of them. The story is that they were made out of two drops of steel that was making the final steel gurder for the olympic stadium. One of the steel workers then made in to the charcters we now see. I like the fact that they start off as a pair, then go on seperate jounreys and then meet back up at London in 2012.
Even there names were intesley planned.
WENLOCK's name is inspired by Much Wenlock in Shropshire, a town that is at the heart of Olympic history. In the 19th century, Baron Pierre de Coubertin was invited there to watch the ‘Much Wenlock Games’ inspired by the Olympic Games of ancient Greece. De Coubertin was inspired by the Wenlock Games too, and went on to found the modern Olympic movement

MANDEVILLE's name is inspired by Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games. On the same day as the Opening Ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games, Sir Ludwig Guttmann held his own sport competition in Stoke Mandeville for World War II soldiers with spinal injuries. It was no coincidence – Sir Ludwig dreamed of a ‘parallel Olympics’ for athletes with disabilities. The Stoke Mandeville Games grew and grew until they became the Paralympic Games.

I really do look forward to see what they do on the road to 2012.

Sophie Brown
Young Ambassador
sophiebrown82@hotmail.co.uk
www.twitter.com/ya2012
www.twitter.com/iammandeville
www.twitter.com/iamwenlock

This Week....

2010-04-15T20:09:00.002+01:00

This week has been a bit of a funny week for me, a lot of late nights and lie-ins, that tends to be what my school holidays are for. Please note; this will be my last ever school holiday as i am leaving school at the end of this term :)

Anyway, this week has seen a lot of progression for my ambassador work!

I have been promising you guys a radio show dedicated to my ambassador work since well before Christmas. Alot of obstacles have got in the way of the recording the show. For Example; on the day i was scheduled to interview paralympic hopeful Lyndon Longhourne, i suffered from a throat infection, resulting in me losing my voice. These things in life are only sent to test us. The interview has been re-scheduled for sometime next week (fingers crossed).

In Actual fact, looking back now i am so please that everything has been postponed as there has been major developments with the show!!!
The Presenter of the show will be, John Middleton, Presenter on Durham Hospital Radio as well as commentator at both Newcastle and Sunderland Football matches. he also done a Feature of BBC's Late Kick Off.
We may have also guaranteed a Paralympic Champion for an interview, but if any of you know any contacts that would be great.

So there is alot going of late, i am also trying to put together all of the pictures you sent me for the pictogram campaign, More pictures are needed!
If you have any questions or thoughts please don't hesitate to contact me.

Thank you
Sophie
www.twitter.com/ya2012
sophiebrown82@hotmail.co.uk

BBC's Olympic Dreams

2010-04-13T16:00:00.004+01:00

Tonight See's the return OLYMPIC DREAMS on BBC One, at 22:35.

The program follows Olympic hopefuls such as; Tom Daley and Jessica Ennis among with others.

I feel as if this program is a must see for all sports fans and those who are interested in London 2012 as a whole.

This will be an opportunity to see the preparations, and the progress the athletes are making to represent Team GB in the 2012 Games.

It could also be good for those who are wanting to become successful athletes to watch as it will show what it takes to become a world class athletes.

Olympic Dreams, BBC One, 22:35, Tonight (13thApril)

The Values Of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

2010-04-08T22:51:00.002+01:00

When I first became young ambassador back in September, i was set the task to promote the values of the Olympic and paralympic games. The values of which are; Respect, Determination, Equality, Inspiration, Courage, Friendship and Excellence. All of which i feel are very important to everyday life and sport.

In this Blog i am going to explain what each value means to me;

RESPECT _ respect is something that should be both earned and given, i believe you should always respect your elders, and people of higher hierarchy, than your self. As some of you may know i am a qualified rugby referee, and one of things i have always been taught is too respect referee's and officials even if you don't agree with them.

Determination- Determination i something that i personally need get a Job done, for example i am determined to become a very very good young ambassador of sport. Determination to me means that you don't give, you keep going to succeed. In sport this means, even when training gets hard or you become injured you still want to succeed no matter what it costs.

Equality - Equality is something that is very important in everyday life, it means no matter where you are from, or what you do, you considered for all roles in life meaning everyone is EQUAL. a sporting example would be that, no matter your race,financial situations, family background; you are simply chosen for a team on your sporting ability.

Inspiration - Inspiration is something that is very important to the sporting world, because if i am honest if it wasn't for people like Dame Kelly Holmes and Jonny Wilkinson Among other people i would not be involved or motivated in sport the way i am today. If someone inspires you you are encouraged to do something.

Courage - Courage is something that i believe we all have to have sometime in our lives, whether it is facing a fear or phobia. For example; I am very much involved in sport, as you could probably tell, i love to take part in sport, but one of my biggest fears is took perform in front of an audience, but over the years i have to do this on many occasions. For example when i was competing at the county championships, to a full Gateshead Stadium.

Excellence - Excellence to me means something that s completed to a high standard. To compete at a high level in sport you have to show Excellence.

Friendship I believe friendship is something that we all should surround ourselves with, i personally do! If you do, then no matter the situation, you will always manage to smile. Friendship means for someone to be there through the good and the bad. In sport, it means you never leave anyone behind; like in rugby if someone is running ahead another player should follow in support.

Over the next few weeks i will be asking some questions on my twitter (www.twitter.com/ya2012) and i would like you all to answer so i can write another blog about all your answers!!!

Thank you

Sophie

www.twitter.com/ya2012
sophiebrown82@hotmail.co.uk

Connecting to Team GB

2010-04-08T18:59:00.000+01:00

Social Networking sites are a part of almost every ones lives.

Around 175 million people every day log on to facebook worldwide.
Twitter has almost 50 million members.

Not a day goes by that I personally don't go on a social networking site such as facebook and twitter.

Social Networking Sites gives us the chance to be in touch with people who we thought were out of our reach. For Example; I have had replies from one of my sporting heroes Will Carling. Lord Seb Coe is now Following me on my ambassador twitter (www.twitter.com/YA2012)

Today I was asked, what I would like to see Great British Athletes for London 2012 doing on Twitter and Facebook.
Its a question I thought thoroughly about.

I personally would like to see Team GB Athletes, posting about their training programs, diet and offering advice to those who are interested in taking up there sport. Exclusive pictures would be great, or blogs stating what has been happening in their lives.

Also the athletes could do question and answer sessions, to make us followers feel as if we have more of an insight into their professional lives.
Twitter and facebook are both good ways for athlete's of Team GB to let us know who they are and what there sport is, in time for the 2012 games, so we can be ready to fly the great British flag.

I feel that London 2012 will be the peoples games, and athletes having social networking sites/pages is a way of engaging everybody!

Thank you
Sophie
Young Ambassador
www.twitter.com/ya2012
sophiebrown82@hotmail.co.uk

Sign up for tickets NOW!

2010-04-06T19:27:00.000+01:00

On the 22nd of March, the general public were able to sign up, for tickets for the 2012 games.
And i urge everyone to at least sign up, I did.

Its our chance to be a part of an amazing event. Its our chance to watch and support our country stage one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

Imagine, just imagine, in years to come when we are talking to our children, grand children, telling them that we are actually were at the Games.

Signing up, means that you can recieve news and offers, to do with Olympic and Paralympic games.

All you have to do is complete a simple form; https://www.tickets.london2012.com/member/registration

Heres a video of Adrian Chiles, Christine Bleakley, Ellie Simmonds and Christine Ohuruogu launching 'sign up' in Trafalgar Square, London.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQp2RsWD77Q

Thanks to you all for your on going support;

Sophie
Young Ambassador
www.twitter.com/ya2012

Its Been A While...

2010-03-30T21:27:00.000+01:00

Its been a while……

I know its been a while since I last blogged.

My life’s pretty hectic at the minute.

For the first time in years I have had to stop doing pretty much all of my sport/ambassador work and concentrate on my School work.

As I have said in blog’s in the past, I am currently studying my final year of school, year 11, and the amount of work that I have had to do is unreal.
I have also just came back from an amazing ski trip in Italy.

I have now completed pretty much all of my GCSE coursework, meaning that I will now finally be able to throw myself back into my Ambassador work.

As I tweeted about a few weeks ago, and I have mentioned in a few interview I have done in the past I am creating a radio show linked with my ambassador work. For the radio show I am interviewing Paralympic hopeful Lyndon Longhourne, this Thursday, the interview was originally supposed to take place at the beginning of march, but I lost my voice so, I have rescheduled too this Thursday!

Also All you pictures you are sending me are great but I still need a few more!! All you need to do is take aphoto of your self or a friend holding a sign with one of the values of the games on. The values are RESPECT, DETERMINATION, FRIENDSHIP, EXCELLENCE, COURAGE, INSPIRATION and EQUALITY. You can then twitpic me at www.twitter.com/ya2012 or email at sophiebrown82@hotmail.co.uk.
I have now decided that I will use the pictures and make a poster using them all, t promote the values of the games!

If you have any questions please ask me!

Thanks

Sophie

As one Flame goes out another is standing ready....

2010-03-08T18:39:00.000Z

As the Olympic Flame goes out on Vancouver, London stands Ready...
As Vancouver 2010, almost becomes a distant memory, its a time to reflect and learn from theses truly amazing Games. I will Go as far as saying the best winter Olympic games of all time.

There is One question that comes up in many places, and its about the opening ceremony.

The Opening Ceremony announces the beginning of the games, the most watched event. Over 4 billion people watched the Opening Ceremony to the Beijing Olympic Games, 2008.

I often get asked about how the 2012 games will compare to the 2008 games.

The Beijng Games was no doubt the biggest and best games yet, everything seemed to be bigger, for example the medals. When i was at the young ambassadors conference in York I had Gold medal from Bejing in my right hand and a gold medal in my left hand, i could actually see the physical difference between the two olympic games.

But the question is how are london going to follow such an amazing opening ceremony??

I would like to here your thoughts and opinions!!!

I personally would like to see an opening like Beijing, but not exactly the same, i wouldnt want london 2012 to be accused of copying.

I would like to see the opening Ceremony, as a massive spectacular, almost like a concert mixed with a light show? The Olympic Stadium should be glowing and be able to be seen for space!

Britain is home to some of the most successful music atists of all time, why not show them off?

How about people like U2, Queen, Paul McCartney, to name but a few

I believe the opening ceremony should be very british!!

Your thoughts are very much welcomed, you contact me via Twitter on www.twitter.com/YA2012

or email me on sophiebrown82@hotmail.co.uk

Thank You

Sophie

London 2012, Its Over To You!!

2010-03-01T20:20:00.000Z

Today is the first day in March, almost 6 Months after Being Named,Young Ambassador of the Wear Valley And Teesdale District.

Today was the day after the closing ceremony for the Winter Olympics, Vancouver 2010. London 2012, its over to you?

Today was the day i discovered a blog on the BBC website called 'Will London Be As British as Vancouver Canadian?'

The Blog is is about how Vancouver was truly celebrated by The Canadians and how they supported their country in such a strong way. I believe that the Vancouver is truly the greatest winter games of all time.

The Blog By BBC's Ollie Williams ends with;
'Will Trafalgar Square become a living, breathing carpet of red, white, and blue, or will the London Games be an entirely different affair? Will being British at London 2012 feel like being Canadian at Vancouver 2010?'

I honestly think London 2012 is the time, and the place, to show off a country that we are truly proud of.

I would love to see everyone, of every age show support for Team GB, Paint the country Red White and Blue. The Red Arrows a true representation of this country something we are very proud of should defiantly have a flyover at the opening a Closing Ceremony.

I believe the London 2012 Games should and will be for everyone, for those who love sport, for those who are equally not interested.

We should grasp this Opportunity with all of our hands, the Games should inspire to become educated about other cultures, religions or maybe learn a language.

I personally believe that sport has the ability to change lives in so many ways.

Its not often we get one of the Worlds Biggest Sporting events in out very own country, lets make it The Olympic Games To Remember

Respectfully Yours

Sophie

Links;

www.twitter.com/YA2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/olliewilliams/2010/02/vancouver_atmosphere.shtml

www.myspace.com/mikebladenofficial

If you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask, either by tweet, or comment on here or email me on sophiebrown82@hotmail.co.uk.

Read Story - Everyday people on the road to 2012

2010-02-06T15:51:00.000Z

Read Story - Everyday people on the road to 2012

Please read and vote 5 stars!

The second meeting

2010-02-04T21:50:00.000Z

The second meeting......

It's been a few weeks since I last interviewed Sophie but I know it's been eventful for her. It's time for another interview to get the low-down on everything she's been involved with.

Hey Sophie so whats happened since we last spoke?

Lots of things have changed since we last spoke. I have a lot more followers on twitter. A lot of the ideas that I spoke about such as the radio show have now taken shape.

How are you balancing school and your YA work?

This Is a really good question, because at the moment I am finding this very hard. I am in my final part of year eleven so there is a lot of coursework deadlines and exams. I have tried to have a schedule for when I do my ambassador work, but because each day and week is very different it is very hard too. I think the balance will come within time.

How has YA affected you?
Becoming a young ambassador has changed my life for the better , it has given me a sense of direction.

What can you tell us about the future of ya2012?

The future of ya2012 is constantly changing, I personally would like to see it become more popular and get more follower and response. I would definitely like to see it run up until the end of the London 2012 games.

Can you explain what the values photos project was?

The campaign IS to promote the values of the Olympic and paralympic games. I want as many people as possible to take photos of themselves holding signs with one of the Olympic values on it. The other day I was sent a picture from somebody from the Philippines.

www.twitter.com/YA2012

Challenge

2010-01-25T20:15:00.000Z

Hello Everyone

First of all a huge thankyou for reading this blog, and following YA2012 on twitter (if your not following please do). Please all spread the YA2012 around.

In my last blog i set you all a challenge.

The Challenge was to take a photo of yourself holding a sign with one of the olympic or paralympic values written on it.

When i first started this challenege it was in the hope that i would get a few replies, But i was astonished to find that i recieved many pictures.

Now i would love it if you all could send in some more pictures, i am trying to launch a campaign with them in.

Here is some of the pictures i recieved in the last week;

This is Mike Bladen, a very talented musician, and worth a follow on twitter (www.twitter.com/mikebladen)

You can send your pictures to ya2012@bishopaucklandrugby.co.uk or tweet them to me (www.twitter.com/YA2012). If you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask me.

Thank you

Sophie

Young Ambassador

www.twitter.com/YA2012

A Little Explanation and Update

2010-01-17T18:57:00.000Z

Hi Guys
Here is A Little Explanation and update.
I understand that i havent been updating as much as i should, i have been concentrating on my school work as i have had quite alot of exams recently. Also the snow has caused havoc in my town.
This doesnt mean that i havent been working and thinking about my ambassador work.
I am still in the process of writing the radio program, the playlist is now complete, if anyone want to see it or add songs to it just let me know!
Each day as from tomorrow will have a olympic and paralympic value, for instance tomorrow will be RESPECT, i will post tweets to do with the value there will also be questions for all you followers!

I have a challenge for you all!
Could you take a picture of yourself or somebody you know holding a piece of paper with one of the Values Writen on them? If you do please email it to ya2012@bishopaucklandrugby.co.uk Thanks.

922 day to the Start of the Olympic Games 2012, and 955 days to the Paralympic Games #London2012 #Sport #Olympics

Thanks

Sophie

Please check out the offical london 2012 website http://www.london2012.com/

Question of the day

2009-12-27T21:27:00.000Z

what more do you think could be done to incorporate equality in sport?

Games values Question of the day

2009-12-26T20:54:00.000Z

Each day I will be asking a new question based on the values of the games- respect, friendship, courage, determination, excellence, inspiration and equality that I would like my followers to answer.

Today question is- Who inspires you in sport and why?

Its Only Just The Beginning

2009-12-26T19:12:00.000Z

To help me Update you on whats happening, well known blogger and a good friend of mine Rachy (http://polkadotstripes.wordpress.com) will be interviewing me on a regular basis, this is the first to give you more of an insight to my life and my work.

Hey Sophie so firstly tell me what the YA2012 twitter is about?
YA2012 means Young Ambassador for 2012. I set this twitter (www.twitter.com/YA2012) up as a way promoting the values of the Olympic and Paralympics games. These Values are; respect, friendship, courage, determination, excellence, inspiration and equality. It’s also a way of letting people know what I am doing. I will be using the twitter to post news about the London 2012 games. If anyone wants to know anything about the Games they can contact me via twitter and I will do my up most to find the information they need.

How did you become young ambassador for sport in the Wear Valley and Teesdale District?
I became ambassador of sport because my PE teacher at school but forward an application about me and what I do sporting wise. It took a long time for anything to come back about the ambassador role, so I obviously thought that I wasn’t going to be the ambassador.

What did it feel like to have such recognition for your talents?
It felt amazing to become the ambassador of sport, because of my talents. When I was first named the ambassador I attended a Conference at York Race Course, I found it very emotional, to actually be named a part of the London 2012 Olympics. It was a very proud moment!

What are you doing so far to promote YA2012?
I started the twitter 3 weeks ago, and have been promoting it on sports websites, forums that I am a part of and on my personal twitter and made a Youtube account(www.youtube.com/YALONDON2012). I hope that doing these blog will bring more interest! I want to as many people to follow YA2012 as possible.

What sort of things will the blog feature?
The blogs will feature many of these interviews and regular detailed updates. If the readers or followers want to know anything particular just let me know and I will do a blog!

How do you intend to get more young people interested n the 2012 Games?
I intend to educate the people of my school and my area about the Games, I believe this will bring more interest to the Games. I will do my upmost to get more people taking part in sport. To get more people interest I will be having a video showing in the main school entrance, having Olympic themed events, Display Boards.

What does 2010 hold for you as young ambassador?
Next year is going to a BIG year in many ways I have my exams to complete at GCSE level and I also have my ambassador work so this year I am going to have to find the right balance. Ambassador-wise, I am going to do as much as possible for the local area for the Olympics, I would like to be able to run a sports event maybe a multi-skills tournament, I want to get more publicity for the Values.
I am also in the process of writing a radio show. At the moment I can’t tell you much, but in the near future I will be sitting down to right out a detailed plan for the future. So maybe in our next interview I can tell you more. Its only Just the Beginning......

Its Who I am.....

2009-12-23T23:15:00.000Z

Hello

I am sophie brown aged 16 the young ambassador who runs YA2012 on twitter, here is a little about myself.

I was named young ambassador of the wear valley and teasdale district back in september 2009, and it was the proudest day of my life. to become apart of the london 2012 olympics.

Before i was Named young ambassador of sport i worked a lot in my school an my community coaching and supporting different sports, all on a voluntary basis. I have to fit it around my saturday job and school but last year alone i volunteered over 250 hours. I run the 'Girls active' club in our school, which was inspired by DAme Kelly Holmes, this group was made too increase the amount of girls taking part in sport. For this i personally applied for Youth Opportunity Funding, for sports equipment and many other things that i felt were essential for the school's sorts department.

Within the school PE department i try to do as much as possible where ever i possibly can, whether its doing displays, photcopying, stewarding at events or photocopying, literally anything.

I was named the youngest ever fully qualified rugby union referee in the country.

Since i became the young ambassador i have ran school sport sessions to promote the values of the games (respect,Excellence Courage inspiartion, determination, friendship equality) i have made display boards with all the games information's on. This is about to go in to primary schools.

I have created videos to go on youtube, to Promote the games. www.youtube.com/YALONDON2012

I have also, made the twitter page www.twitter.com/YA2012, i will be using this to promote the values of sport, healthy eating, and general chat about the games.

For 2010 i huge plans for the ambassador program, i wish to roll it out to all of the primary schools in the area. I would like to run a multi-skills tournament for the primary schools, using all of the Values of the Games.
At our school we run a transition week, in the summer holidays which is for the Year 6's who are becoming year 7's. I have planned it all to be olympic based. this will happen in the summer of next year.

I intend to use this blog as a way of keeping you alll up to date on what i do, in more detail.

If you need anymore information please contact me by twitter and i will reply within the day

Thank you

sophie