Community Games Relay heads to the Black Country

Visitors to the Black Country Living Museum were today given the chance to re-live the Olympic Torch Relay celebrations one year on, thanks to Community Games.

Community Games is an Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy programme funded by the Social Action Fund and delivered by the County Sports Partnership Network (CSPN) and the YMCA.

The Black Country BeActive Partnership has celebrated the one-year anniversary of the torch arriving in the Black Country by hosting a Community Games event for visitors to the museum.

There were fun activities for all the family to join in with. This included an egg and spoon race, space hopper race, hula hooping, relay races and much more. The museum also joined in with the fun by hosting their own street games alongside garden games such as giant jenga.

The celebrations were part of the Community Games Relay, which mirrors the Olympic, Torch Relay route - virtually travelling to regions across the country for 70 days.

The Community Games Relay shone a spotlight on the Black Country on Wednesday 29 May 2013, which was officially DAY 11 of the relay.

The day was an opportunity for local people to find out more about the hundreds of Community Games taking place across the West Midlands.

A Community Games volunteer, who has helped bring the legacy programme to life in the Black Country, was honoured for her role during the celebrations.

Paige Harris, from Walsall overcame a bad start in life, doesn’t like playing sport, but loves organising. This is how she got involved with Community Games. Paige was part of the organising committee for the Nova Community Games in 2012. Paige’s motto is ‘if I can do it, anyone can’. For more information on Paige’s success story visit day 11 on www.communitygames.org.uk

Paige received her commemorative jersey and will also be invited to a special VIP day in London to take part in the official opening of Olympic venue - The Copper Box (which played host to handball during the Games), with a ceremony taking place at Queen Elizabeth Park on July 27 mirroring the day that the torch officially arrived at Olympic Park in 2012.

Paige will join 69 other volunteers from across the country at this special event and represent the 36,000 volunteers who helped to make Community Games Events a success in 2012.

Simon Hall, Partnership Director for the Black Country BeActive Partnership said: “We are delighted Community Games has shone a spotlight on the Black Country as the programme re-traces the steps of the Olympic and Paralympic torch relay route. Last year Community Games helped bring friends, families and communities together in celebration of London 2012, in a way like no other.

People often ask me if the Olympic and Paralympic Games has created a legacy in the Black Country, and I believe through programmes like Community Games it undoubtedly has.

We hope more people will support Black Country Community Games events this year, and especially today when we have had the unique opportunity to commemorate the one year anniversary of the torch arriving in the Black Country”.

Lee Mason, Chief Executive of the County Sports Partnership Network, said:

“The County Sports Partnership Network is really looking forward to the Community Games Relay. It is a great opportunity for people inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games to come together to enjoy sport and cultural activities on the day the Community Games Relay passes through their area or at any of the thousands of Community Games events taking place this year. People involved in Community Games work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure others enjoy sporting and cultural activities in the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, through the programme.”

Minister for civil society Nick Hurd said:

"The 2012 Games showed people what is possible when they come together and get involved. A strong country is built on solid communities, which is why we have awarded Community games support through the Social Action Fund, helping more people improve where they live and discover what a rewarding experience volunteering is."

If you would like to organise a Community Games or to find out when your next event is taking place, log on to www.communitygames.org.uk.