Steph Houghton salutes Olympic effect as Arsenal Ladies seek double - Metro

AppId is over the quota
Steph Houghton is hoping to make it a double by winning the FA Women’s Super League Continental Cup (Picture: Action Images)

Houghton scored in all three of Team GB’s group games at London 2012, including one against Brazil in front of more than 70,000 fans at Wembley.

Now her focus is on helping the Gunners win the double by beating Birmingham in the FA Women’s Super League Continental Cup final at Barnet’s Underhill after already winning the WSL.

‘We are getting a lot more attention and recognition,’ she said.

‘Attendances are improving. The image of women’s football has changed for the better and we have to make sure it keeps getting better as more and more girls take it up.’

Meanwhile the Football Association has confirmed Team GB will not be sending a men’s football team to the 2016 Olympics, but it has not ruled out fielding a women’s side.

Tickets – £10 for adults, £5 for children – are available by calling 020 8449 6325, from ticket office or at www.barnetfc.com

London 2012 Olympic Games: a digital triumph - The Guardian (blog)

AppId is over the quota
A record number of spectators attended the London 2012 Olympic Games. Photograph: Dan Chung/The Guardian

What makes a good Olympic Games great?

Four years ago I was speaking to the organisers of the Sydney Games to see what communications lessons we could learn from what, until London 2012, was considered the most successful Games ever.

Sydney had gone down as the ultimate sporting party, and had allowed the world to look at Australia in a new light. I was trying to work out, from a government point of view, what kind of Games we wanted London to be.

There were three lessons I took from Sydney:

First, a successful few weeks of sport is not enough – a Games can be so much more. You hear this time and again from every city that hosts a major sporting event. So from the outset, we were determined to put plans in place that were ambitious enough to match Locog and the government's wildest dreams of success in 2012. That could turn a good Games into a great Games, and make sure that people are not just talking about it for decades to come, but feeling the benefits too.

For communications, one of the main challenges in the first few years was convincing people just how big this would be, and how big an opportunity for the country. By the time we got to "super Saturday" or "thriller Thursday", and the whole country and the media would be united in awe of the Games, it would be too late. The foundations needed to be in place long before.

That's why we were talking tirelessly about legacy right from the start. It was a tough message, with years to go before 2012 Olympics and with the media focus on building the venues and hitting the budget. But it was vital to the government's goals.

And that's why we launched, a year ahead of the Games, a co-ordinated, cross-government campaign – the GREAT campaign – to promote Britain abroad with confidence even in difficult times. Having the confidence to go out to the world and promote what Britain has to offer, during the economic downturn, and through last year's riots, has set us in good stead now we aim to generate £13bn in economic benefits from the combined efforts around London 2012.

And that was the second lesson from Sydney: collective success is the best way of delivering individual triumph for everyone involved. Simplicity of messages and clarity about what you want to say, are crucial.

We brought together staff from every government department across Whitehall to work in one communications directorate. The largest cross government communications operation ever. We had one website, twitter-feed and phone number. One message.

Our priority was simple: remove the barriers to effective collective communication. By creating a culture in which sharing communications was the norm and not the exception, most of the job was done.

This was tough given the scale and complexity of the challenge: 25,000 international and national media over at the Park and thousands more across London; 19 government departments with roles to play delivering the Games; alongside Locog, the GLA and all the sporting bodies. Stakeholders ranged from the Met Office to Health Protection Agency to the utilities, all of which needed to be brought into a co-ordinated structure to maintain consistent messages.

We set up daily director of communication calls with our key partners, Locog, the GLA, the Met and core government departments. We spoke every day throughout the torch and the Games, so we could talk, share, decide and support. By the time of the athlete's parade, more than 125 teleconferences had taken place.

Part of that simplicity for the government was knowing when to speak, and when to be silent. Ahead of the Games, we talked legacy and explained the scale of the challenge ahead. But then it was crucial to provide the space for sport to shine through once the Games started. And how they shone.

The third lesson is, that in terms of communications, it's the two weeks before the Games, when the journalists need copy, but there is no sport, that are the most pressured. We saw it in South Africa in the last world cup when the focus was on crime and security. In Beijing, the focus was on human rights and pollution. In London, our issues were security and transport. We dealt with all of this in communications by putting in place our contingency planning. Our community of communications professionals got us through.

'Don't look back and wish you had done more' was the big warning from Sydney. Could we have done more? Of course there is no limit on what the government still wants to achieve with 2012, but everyone involved in the Games is confident that we have the foundations firmly in place to give London 2012 the lasting legacy that such an incredible Games deserves.

And perhaps the hidden legacy for the government from these Games is that we've got a generation of incredibly talented government communication specialists who have seen the value of this level of collaboration – which can only strengthen the effectiveness of government communications for the future.

Sarah Jones was director of communications at the Government Olympic Executive from 2008, and is deputy director of communications for Government Olympic Communications

This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the Guardian Public Leaders Network free to receive regular emails on the issues at the top of the professional agenda.

Carshalton College at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic ... - This is Croydon

AppId is over the quota
Carshalton College at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games | This is Croydon Skip to content Max : 16°C  Min : 12°C

LoginRegister  I'm looking forinOur siteOur directory NewsCrimeEducationEmergency ServicesEnvironmentHealthPoliticsRiotsTransportTraffic CamerasWeather SportFootballCrystal PalaceSurrey CCCCricketOther Sport Forums What's OnEntertainmentChristmasLifestyleMusicEating OutShoppingReviewsComedyFilmNightlifeTheatreCompetitions DealsWowcherLocal Vouchers PicturesBuy a Photo NoticesAnnouncementsObituariesSpecial Occasions JobsJobseeker LoginRecruiter Login Motors Homes RestaurantsChineseEnglishFrenchIndianItalianPizzeriaPub FoodThai Shopping PlacesArts & CultureAttractionsHairdressersHealth & BeautyHotels & TravelPubs & BarsShoppingSport & LeisureMore... ServicesBuilders & ConstructionEstate AgentsEvent ServicesMotoringPetsRecruitmentTaxisTradesmenWeddingsMore... Business Dating Classifieds Place an AdCompare LoansCompetitions  Carshalton College at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic GamesTuesday, September 18, 2012CarCollege

Follow

As a member of the Get Set Network, Carshalton

College's Sport's department was given  tickets to the London 2012 Olympic and

?Carshalton College students at the London 2012 Olympics

Paralympic Games. Tickets covered a variety of sports including basketball,

gymnastics, athletics, hockey, wrestling, football and table tennis as well as

a number of medal ceremonies.

 

Carshalton

College student, Jess Greenway attended the games and said 'The strength

the athletes had was amazing. Throughout the evening each event got explained

and some facts about it were given. It was a really great experience and I'm

really glad I got to go and that I can say I was there.'

 

Student

Shannon Bundy went 'to the Paralympics to see athletics at the Olympic

Park in Stratford. To be able to see an event like Athletics was amazing

because it has so many different events going on so there was a lot to see. It

was great to see that no matter what disability you have, you can still make a change

in life and prove that you are no less able than people without disabilities.'

 

Student

Ellie Potter found, 'the experience amazing. It was so breath-taking to see

such talent in person its nothing like it is on the TV to be in that atmosphere

with other people who share your passion for the sport makes it ten times

better than sitting at home shouting at your TV. For me I was beside myself at

the opportunity because gymnastics is a passion of mine and I wanted to take it

on as a career and it just goes to show how much time and effort goes into

making such athletes it really does inspire you. It was a once in a lifetime

opportunity, and to be able to go and witness it with my friends made it even

better. If I had the chance I would go over and over again, it makes you wonder

about your future in life and how you want to make a change, things such as the

Olympics will inspire generations to come and promote being more active in

schools clubs etc. Overall  the

experience was amazing and I'm grateful for the chance also I think it will

make the nation more hands on and more physically active.'

 

'The College

gave me a great opportunity to go and see an event at the Olympics which was

the men's gymnastics as well as an event at the Paralympics which was the

athletics. This was amazing as this meant that not only did I get to see many

Great Britain's athletes at their best but I also got to see two different

venues in London.' Lauren Hewitt, Carshalton

College Sports Student.

 

IT

Student, Thierno Diallo, worked as a volunteer at the Olympics and Paralympics

and said 'I feel proud to be part of London

2012 and it was one of the most amazing experiences in my life, I enjoyed every

single second of it.'

 

 

 

Sports & Public

Services Team Leader at Carshalton College, Jez Gray found it 'a unique and unforgettable experience for

our students. We have worked for the past few years now in encouraging our

students to get involved in the games and sports in general. We were delighted

our efforts were recognised and rewarded by the Get Set Network who provided us

with the tickets. Having the Olympics in London was the perfect opportunity to

get our students to the games and gave our students the opportunity to watch

world-class athletes in action. We hope this will motivate our students to

reach their potential.'

Carshalton College joined the Get Set

Network

along with over 1,000 other members in the build up to the London 2012 Olympic

and Paralympic Games.

 

The Network offered

interactive learning resources, ideas and opportunities to help schools and

colleges make the most of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For

learners aged 3 to 19 years there were a host of challenges, competitions,

ambassador roles, volunteering opportunities and festivals to get involved

with.

 

The aims

of the Get Set Network were to enhance young people's learning in all subjects,

support and drive existing educational priorities and agendas, involve as many

children and young people as possible in the excitement of the London 2012

Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporting children and young people.

 

Carshalton College encouraged students and staff to

get involved with the games and organised and participated in a number of

related initiatives.  For further

information on the College and their Olympic activities please follow this link

- http://www.carshalton.ac.uk/about/olympic_opportunities/

 

For

more information, please contact

e: marketing@carshalton.ac.uk

t: 020 8544 4501

00DiggRedditDelicious StumbleUponReport Comments NewestOldestBest rated Worst rated 

Your comments awaiting moderation Be the first to commentmax 4000 charactersAds by Google            Most popular LatestCommentedRead 1. Carshalton College at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic... 2. Family's cleaning firm mops up big contracts 3. Prison time for Croydon con gang who preyed on vulnerable 4. Purley pit stop for snack nets Olympic volunteer Andrew a Mini 5. Expansions to meet rise in demand for school places in Croydon 1. Families asked to leave Croydon due to chronic housing shortage 2. Doctor banned from treating women and girls alone is back at work 3. Cash boost to tackle domestic abuse 'blight on our society' 4. Paedophile who targeted his teen victims on Facebook is jailed 5. Prison time for Croydon con gang who preyed on vulnerable 1. Prison time for Croydon con gang who preyed on vulnerable 2. Three arrested after South Norwood teenager is stabbed to death 3. Blasts from the past as hundreds see vintage cars in Reigate 4. Paedophile who targeted his teen victims on Facebook is jailed 5. Tia Sharp: Mother too distraught to say final farewell at funeral 6ft x 2ft PVC Banners ONLY £16.99! Inc. Hem & EyeletsNewstyle Print - Low Cost Print SolutionsNewstyleprint.co.uk are now offering 6ft x 2ft PVC banner printing for £16.99 ex VAT! Call 0844 756 7000 (local rate) for more information.

Terms: Newstyle reserves the right to change prices,modify, or remove offers without prior notice.

Valid until: Monday, December 31 2012

  View details    Tell us about your area

Got some interesting news? Write about it and let your whole community know.

  Write an article    Report AbuseName *Email *What is the primary reason you are reporting this message as abusive?General AbuseProfanityExplicit ContentImpersonationHarassmentLibelRacial AbuseReligious AbuseSpamPrivate InformationAdditional Comments? _cc991.bcp(); News Sport Things to do Deals Jobs Motors Homes Restaurants Places ServicesToday inCroydon About usAbout UsTerms and ConditionsBusiness Service TermsHouse RulesPrivacy & Cookies PolicyHere to helpBook an AdGet in touchSite MapArchiveRSSFAQOur other sitesThis Is siteslocalpeople sitesFind us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterOur partners
Jobs
Motors
Property
Holiday Villas
Classified adsCopyright © 2012 Northcliffe Media Limited.
All Rights Reserved.

London 2012 Olympic pictures feature in Welwyn Garden City photo ... - Times 24

AppId is over the quota
WGC Photo Club exhibition By Alan Davies Friday, September 14, 2012
11:55 AM

IT’S been a spectacular summer of sport, with both the London 2012 Olympics and the Paralympics entertaining millions around the country.

WGC Photo Club exhibition

And Welwyn Garden City Photographic Club’s forthcoming exhibition is partly inspired by the Olympics.

Now that London 2012 has drawn to a close, some of the memories are captured in photos on display at the Howard Centre, in WGC, this weekend.

They are included in an exhibition staged by WGC Photo Club on Saturday and Sunday.

Club chairman Colin Mahoney said: “Our September show in the Howard Centre is always a popular annual event. Visitors to the centre like to see the variety of members’ photos exhibited.

WGC Photo Club exhibition

“It’s no surprise perhaps that some of this summer’s events have been photographed by our members.”

The WGC Photographic Club meets at 8pm every Tuesday at the Terrace Suite in Campus West, WGC, from September through to May 21, 2013, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

The club currently has more than 100 avid snappers – and is open to members who share an interest in photography.

The membership includes a mix of beginners through to more advanced photographers.

As well as London 2012, this year is also a special one for the club itself. Colin said: “The club celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

“We have more than 100 members, and local interest in the club remains very strong.”

The club’s latest exhibition runs over the weekend during Howard Centre opening hours.

* Further club information is available from the website www.welwynphotoclub.org.uk