People Get Active at New Titanic Quarter Launch Weekend

The New Titanic Quarter Belfast was the place to be at the weekend when young people from communities across Northern Ireland took to the water for an action packed weekend to ‘Try Sailing’ and get active with Ocean Youth Trust Ireland.

Ocean Youth Trust Ireland, who have been awarded the prestigious Inspire mark by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), are delivering an energetic and full programme of events across 2012.   The programme has been designed in support of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to facilitate people from across Northern Ireland who would not normally be involved to participate in sporting activities. 

The Inspire mark is the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme, a UK-wide participation initiative which recognises innovative and exceptional non-commercial projects which are inspired by the 2012 Games. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is responsible for delivering the Inspire programme in Northern Ireland, as part of its wider strategy to create a local legacy from the 2012 Games. There are currently 90 Inspire projects operational in Northern Ireland (64 local and 26 national), and the local projects alone are creating almost one million opportunities for people to take part in Games-inspired activities.

A great day of on and off the water activities was had by everyone, with the opportunity to try sailing, get active and enjoy the outdoors with many getting to know the workings of the vessels for the very first time. 

Ocean Youth Trust are delivering a full programme of ‘Try-Sailing’ events at the New Titanic Quarter for the month of April offering communities from across Northern Ireland with the opportunity to get active, learn to sail while having lots of fun and make new friends!

Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: “We want to use the power of the Games to inspire change. The Inspire programme is recognising the work our partners all round the UK are doing to help us achieve this vision. I congratulate everyone involved in Ocean Youth Trust Ireland for securing the Inspire mark and wish you every success with your work.”

Julie Jamison, London 2012 Inspire Programmer for Northern Ireland, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure said:  "This try sailing event is part of an exciting new project which has received the London 2012 Inspire mark in recognition of its excellence and connection to the 2012 Games. There are 90 Inspire projects operational in Northern Ireland (64 local and 26 national), and our local projects alone are creating almost one million opportunities for people to take part in Games-inspired activities. We're proud to have Ocean Youth Trust Ireland on board, encouraging participation and contributing to a positive local legacy from the 2012 Games."

Jenna Sheilds, Try-Sailing trainee taking part at the event said: “I loved it! I definitely want to do it again.  It was brilliant especially because I have never been on a sailing boat before.  Learning the different parts of the boat was fun and interesting and the instructor was great!  I have told all my friends that they should try it! 

Bronagh Cappa-Campbell, Chief Executive of Ocean Youth Trust Ireland said: “OYTI are delighted to have an inspire mark event coinciding with Belfast Titanic launch weekend. We are excited that young people have a chance to be part of this historic event. The charity have planned a number of activities that tie-in to the 2012 schedule and Inspire Mark is a great way for OYTI to amalgamate community based sailing  with some of the legacy plans for London 2012. Ocean Youth Trust Ireland are  running try-sailing days, camps, instructor courses and a whole series of projects that will allow people to access the sport of sailing, we will work with over 2500 young people in 2012 and this, our inaugural Inspire Mark activity has laid a great foundation for this work. A special thanks must go to Julie and the team in DCAL for supporting us through this process.”

Try-Sailing’ is part of a full programme of sailing opportunities delivered by Ocean Youth Trust Ireland for young people, schools and youth based organisations in Ireland. 

For more information on the Trust and available programmes or to volunteer please visit the website, www.oyti.org or contact Ocean Youth Trust Ireland office on 028 90 453 062.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Ocean Youth Trust Ireland

Ocean Youth Trust Ireland (OYTI) is a Sail Training charity committed to working with young people from all backgrounds throughout Ireland. The Trust is dedicated to training the leaders of tomorrow by empowering and supporting them to succeed in one of the most challenging environments known to man, the Ocean.

About the Inspire Programme

The Inspire programme is managed centrally by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), and there are Inspire Programmers and Creative Programmers based across the UK. The Inspire Programmer for Northern Ireland is based in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. The Creative Programmer for Northern Ireland is based in the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

There are a total of 90 Inspire projects operational in Northern Ireland – 64 locally-based and 26 nationally-based – across a range of themes and delivered by diverse non-commercial organisations, including universities, colleges, charities, community and voluntary organisations, government departments, and councils. It is estimated that the local projects alone are creating almost one million opportunities for people to take part in activities linked to the 2012 Games.

For more information on the Inspire programme in Northern Ireland, visit http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/index/games_legacy/inspire_programme.htm or contact [email protected] 

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is responsible for coordinating delivery of the Northern Ireland legacy strategy for the 2012 Games, across three key themes – sporting, social, and economic. In doing so, it works in partnership with a range of organisations, including Sport Northern Ireland, Disability Sports Northern Ireland, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Volunteer Now, the Department of Education, the Department for Employment and Learning, Invest NI, and the Northern Ireland Local Government Association.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are delivered by two key organisations – LOCOG and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). LOCOG is responsible for staging a memorable Games in 2012. They will deliver the best possible Olympic and Paralympic Games experience for everyone involved, enabling a lasting legacy and inspiring people to join in. The ODA is the public body responsible for developing and building the new venues and infrastructure for the Games and converting the Olympic Park for long-term use after the Games.

For more information please visit the Inspire section of the website or contact us.

Contact details

For further information or requests for interview contact:

Thelma, Ocean Youth Trust Ireland, 

Desk phone: 028 90 453 062  Email: [email protected]