Prince becomes School Games President
Appointment announced as 2012 school sport competition comes to an end.
Prince Harry has become President of the Sainsbury’s School Games, the Government announced today as the finals of the inaugural competition drew to a close.
The Prince will use his support to highlight the role that competitive sport can play in the development of young people, regardless of their background.
The 2012 School Games finals have been held in London 2012 venues since Sunday, culminating this evening in an Olympic-style closing ceremony featuring chart-toppers Cover Drive and 2010 Britain’s Got Talent winners Spelbound.
“Huge congratulations to everyone who has taken part in the inaugural School Games, but especially to those who have won,” Prince Harry said. “I believe that sport can give people confidence and skills which set you up for life. It is so important to get outside and to keep physically and mentally fit. I am very honoured to become the President of the School Games.”
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “I am thrilled that Prince Harry has agreed to become President of the Sainsbury’s School Games. He is great sportsman in his own right and I’m sure his support and enthusiasm will be a massive inspiration to all the young people who take part in every stage of the Sainsbury’s School Games.”
The School Games is using the inspiration of London 2012 to transform competitive sport in schools and get more children of abilities playing sport.
2012 School Games finals in numbers
1,600 - number of young athletes who have competed
12 - number of sports in the competition, including cycling, judo and rugby sevens
6 - number of sports which have a disability element
700 - number of officials, volunteers and support staff helping to make the School Games happen
4 - the number of Olympic venues being used for the finals
1,179 - number of gold, silver and bronze medals handed out
£128m - amount of Lottery and Government funding being used to support the School Games over the next three years
Further information
- Press release with further details
- Visit the Sainsbury’s School Games website and School Games Facebook page
- Watch highlights and reports from the competition on the Youth Sport Trust’s YouTube page
- What we do: School Games