OLYMPIC YOUNG
GAMES MAKERS
An interview with Aaron Hemsley Y13, Primary Team
Leader …
When you watch the 2012 Paralympics look out for a
team of Richard Hale students who will be providing a very important service
for the athletes. The team was shortlisted from hundreds of entries after an
initial written submission. Their second round success was based on their
creative idea for use of the Red Tower and demanding interviews of Aaron and
fellow Y13 student Alex Cloona,
Secondary Team Leader.
LOCOG (the London Organising Committee of the Olympic
and Paralympic Games) were particularly impressed by the amount of voluntary
support work they had done at their age, and by the fact that most teams
competing were led by teachers or other adults. Although the RHS bid was
overseen by PE teacher Anne-Marie Riddle, who selected the original team, the subsequent
organisation and leadership were the responsibility of the students themselves.
Aaron has done a lot of junior football coaching at the King George Club in
Welwyn garden City, and Alex helps to coach and officiate at the Phoenix
Athletics Club. Aaron acknowledged the excellent support form Mrs Riddle, and
thanked Mr Botheras for his efforts in getting them their kit.
The
Paralympics run from 29 August to 9 September. Although they have not been
given the precise timings yet, the RHS students, along with two other teams,
will be on what is known as “tie-down duty” for the throwing events – discus,
javelin and shot. In practice the students will look after and secure the
frames the athletes need to support them while they compete in their events. This
requires both technical knowledge of the equipment, which consists of winches
and pulleys, ropes and chains, and also very good communication skills. There
will be over 100 competitors in the three events, speaking a range of different
languages, and understandably all very keen that their personal preferences are
met – incorrect setting of the equipment could be the difference between Gold
and nothing! A very great responsibility indeed.
The
team attended the Olympic Warm-Up Trial in April – which Aaron described as
brilliant! They were presented with their official stadium passes, and given
talks by the stadium general managers on health and safety and the importance
of good communication, given that so many different languages will be spoken.
They will receive passes nearer the time for their daily travel, but were
allowed to keep the kit they were given. They were even allowed to sit in the
Royal Box – and better still they all have stadium tickets for the Opening Ceremony dress rehearsal!
They
were given further training when they participated in the London Disability
Grand Prix in May – the difference being that this time they had real
competitors and real crowds. According to Aaron, these experiences really
brought it home to them how fantastic it is that they will be so involved in
the greatest show on earth!
At the time of writing the RHS team were
looking forward to helping in the Herts Youth Games and the East of England
Disability Championships on 19 May, running the field events in the Children’s
Section for disabled 5 and 6 year olds. Fantastic!
Curtesy of Richard Hale School- Hale News July 2012
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