Commonwealth gold medallist urges Aberdeen young people to back Glasgow 2014!

A group of young people from the Aberdeenshire area has joined 2002 Commonwealth Games gymnastics gold medallist, Steve Frew at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen as he kicked off a Lead 2014 conference to inspire children to be part of the Glasgow 2014 legacy through staging school festivals and events.

More than 85 school children from Aberdeen and the surrounding area were inspired to become Glasgow 2014 leaders, as they attended an inspirational conference today (Thursday 28 April) as part of the Lead 2014 programme.

The event was kicked off with a talk from one of Scotland’s most successful athletes, Steve Frew, 2002 Commonwealth Games gymnastic gold medallist. The pupils, from 18 different secondary schools across the region, listened to Steve as he urged them to lead their fellow pupils in hosting creative events to celebrate the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Run by sportscotland and Youth Sport Trust, in association with Glasgow 2014, the event was held at Robert Gordon University. It is the last of six conferences being held across Scotland by the end of April, as part of the Lead 2014 programme.

Targeted at young people aged 14+, the day long conferences have seen university students lead workshops on event management to inspire the younger students to subsequently organise and deliver Commonwealth Games themed sports festivals within their own school community.
Steve said: “The Commonwealth Games is one of the most thrilling sporting events an athlete can participate in. I hope that I’ve passed on some of my passion and excitement for Glasgow 2014 and encouraged the children to really lead their fellow pupils in joining in the festivities.”

Matty Byiers, a 15 year-old pupil from Fraserburgh High, said: “The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be one of the biggest sporting events we experience in our lifetime and this conference has really inspired me to get the entire school involved in celebrating it.”