The initiative aims to inspire over 40,000 people across the country to sign up with each of them spending at least 10 hours organising or leading sporting activities.

Sport Makers is open to anyone aged 16 and over and is part of the £135 million ($211 million/€155 million) National Lottery Places People Play scheme, which was unveiled last year in an effort to capitalise on a home Olympic and Paralympics in 2012

"You don't need medals to become a sporting hero," said Sir Steve.

"By helping people you know to get involved in sport you'll be doing something amazing for your friends and local community as well as having fun yourself.

"The thing I want to see more than anything is more people out enjoying what sport has to offer, but we need your help to make it happen.

"So why not take your first step to becoming a sporting hero and visit sportmakers.co.uk."

Every Sport Maker will be invited to an informal and interactive workshop where they will gain the skills and opportunities to get involved in sport in their area.

They will then be introduced to organisations that need their help and join forces with others who want to make sport happen locally.


There will also be opportunities to meet top athletes and plenty of incentives to stay involved.

By taking part in Sport Makers, and completing the required 10 hours, Sport Makers could secure tickets to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics as a reward.

"This is a great chance to get involved in making sport happen, whether that's planning the route, finding the pitch or encouraging others to take part," said Sport England chairman Richard Lewis.

"So if you think you could help, or have your own ideas for getting others involved in sport, please join in as a Sport Maker and become part of the legacy of the London 2012 Games."

A recent survey suggests that over 50 per cent of adults in England would like to play more sport but don't feel they have the time, money or confidence to get involved in a formal setting but minister for sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson feels the new project will help solve that problem.

"The volunteers that help out at local sports clubs up and down the country are the foundations of community sport," he said.

"The new Sport Makers initiative is a key part of the London 2012 sports legacy and will help community sports clubs across the country get more people playing sport."

The project has also received the backing of the British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman Colin Moynihan.

"Sport Makers will help contribute to an active and vibrant grassroots sporting environment, through which opportunities for people of all ages to participate in sport will be expanded," said Moynihan.

"It will reinforce the ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, demonstrating how they are relevant to every level of sport."

More information is available here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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