Mission Possible to create local London 2012 legacy
Sport Hampshire & IOW is leading the charge to create a sporting legacy 
for young people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Its new project, Mission Possible: Lead… Coach… Play the Game! will capture the spirit of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (the 2012 Games) and will unify a number of exciting new initiatives to help create 2012 new coaching and sports leadership opportunities.
Mission Possible has been granted Inspire Mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme, which recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Games.
Working with partner organisations, Mission Possible will help change the lives of local people, no matter whether they wish to lead, coach or play sport. In addition to the leadership and coaching opportunities which will be created, Mission Possible will have even broader reach, as the individuals involved will be encouraged to adopt the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Respect, Excellence, Friendship, Courage, Determination, Inspiration and Equality) to inspire a new generation to enjoy sport and physical activity.
How exactly Mission Possible: Lead… Coach… Play the Game! plans to achieve a lasting legacy is determined under each of its specific strands.
Lead
Sports Leadership is a great way to meet new people and create friendships, as well as to develop vital life skills, including communication, teamwork, collaboration and organisational skills. Mission Possible will inspire a new generation of Sports Leaders by:
- Recruiting, training and deploying up to 1400 people through Sport Makers to support local sports activities in schools, clubs and local events
- Working with local schools to use the GET SET resources offered by LOCOG (the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games) to promote the values of London 2012
- Developing a youth sports forum to ensure leadership programmes are both owned and delivered by young people.
Coach
Coaching is the lifeblood of sport and the key to providing fun, attractive and high-quality sporting opportunities to local people at all levels and of all ages. Mission Possible will provide new opportunities for young people to get into coaching by:
- Training apprentichips through the Future Jobs Fund (closed June 2012)
- Offering Scholarships for young people to get onto the first rungs of the coaching ladder
- Delivering Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s annual Coach Education Month
- Developing Master Classes and Talent Coach Breakfast Clubs
- Delivering Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s annual Young Coaches’ Conference
Play the Game!
Playing the game is at the heart of sport. Whether playing in a team, engaging in group fitness, competing against others, or challenging yourself in the gym - playing motivates and inspires us to get active, share experiences and have fun. Mission Possible will facilitate new sporting opportunities by:
- Creating a skilled, qualified and active workforce of coaches and leaders to inspire young people to engage in sport and physical activity
- Creating new sports activities, through programmes like Sportivate and Change for Life Clubs, inspired by the values and phenomenon of the Olympic and Paralympic movement.
Southampton-based Paralympic gold medallist, Peter Hull MBE and Olympic silver medallist, Todd Bennett were on hand to help launch Mission Possible. Todd said, “I had a dream of competing for my country and going to the Olympics and was immensely proud to win a silver medal at the Los Angeles Olympics. However, I know I wouldn’t have been able to make my dream a reality without the help of my coach, as even though I had the talent, I needed his guidance and support.”
Seb Coe, Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “Mission Possible is encouraging young people to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as Sport Hampshire & IOW, we are delivering on our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in coaching, leadership and participation.”