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Issued:10/01/13
Sport industry leaders have spoken about the impact of the London Olympic Games and what needs to be done to create a lasting legacy, at a major sport conference at Sheffield Hallam University.
Speaking to around 500 sport development and coaching students at the University, John Steele, chief executive officer of the Youth Sport Trust, said: "There's something special about sport's ability to galvanise change. If you get sport right, in terms of developing young people's lives, there are big knock-on effects, not just in sport, but outside of it as well.
"As well as kids learning important skills and achieving their potential, it means people living better longer, cutting obesity, reducing crime, economic growth and more productivity.
"Did we inspire a generation? Only time will tell. We excited a generation, but we'll know if we inspired them in about five or ten years' time. Because inspiration has to lead somewhere - if you don't feed it with opportunities, it fizzles out."
The two-day event gives students the opportunity to work on key skills in workshops with sporting professionals, and includes a series of keynote addresses from senior figures in a range of sporting bodies.
The conference included an address from Premier League referee Howard Webb, and a workshop led by former minister for sport Richard Caborn.
It was attended by around 500 students from the University's department of sport, as part of their studies. Along with keynote speeches from governing bodies and clubs, the students take part in practical assessments and workshops.
For press information contact: Joe Field on 0114 225 2074 or email pressoffice@shu.ac.uk
