Support

WEY VALLEY School and Sports College is the latest borough school to celebrate its support for the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic sailing events.

In the run up to the London 2012 Games, the Dorset Echo is showcasing how local schools are working hard to make the most of this unique event with a new ‘Going for Gold’ school page, every Saturday.

The Echo, in partnership with the borough 2012 operations team, the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce and the NHS Dorset’s Team Dorset Challenge has produced 30 giant Bring on the Games stickers for all the borough schools.

Annie Hargreaves, Wey Valley School Sport co-ordinator, said Young Ambassadors from the school were supporting other schools in Weymouth to get involved in London 2012 thanks to a grant of more than £8,000.

Let us know what Olympic activities your school is planning by calling 01305 830984.

Prize Money

A SPONSORSHIP prize fund of US$45,000 will be spicing up a World Championship windsurfing event next month.

The prize money from NeilPryde Windsurfing, will be awarded to the top 10 men and top 10 women in the final results of the 2012 RS:X World Windsurfing Championships, between March 20 and 29 in Cadiz, Spain.

NeilPryde provides the one-design equipment which will be used at the London 2012 Games.

Mike Dempsey RS:X Class President said: “This is an important first step in our ambitions to ensure that prize money becomes the norm at major Olympic Windsurfing events in the future.”

With nine Olympic qualification places still to be allocated, the forthcoming championship is also one of the last chances for nations to qualify for the Olympics.

Zumbathon

A THREE-HOUR ‘Zumbathon’ in east Dorset raised £757 for costumes for a theatrical event on Weymouth Beach.

The Zumba fundraiser, the first in the area for both disabled and non disabled people, was held on Saturday at King’s Park Primary School, Bournemouth.

The proceeds will go towards costumes for ‘Breathe’, a breathtaking outdoor performance of circus, dance and cabaret taking place on July 28 on Weymouth Beach. It is part of Battle for the Winds, a three-day theatrical event to open the Olympic sailing events.

All London 2012 Cultural Olympiad celebrations for the south coast are part of the Maritime Mix 2012 programme, which boasts more than 80 events, of which 95 per cent will be free.

Visit maritimemix2012.com

Be Prepared

CHURCH representatives from across the South West region will be gathering at a Weymouth school next month to find out how to get prepared for the 2012 Games.

A day of Get Set workshops, organised by More Than Gold, will be held at All Saints secondary school in Wyke Regis from 10.30am until 4.30pm on Saturday, March 24.

Topics will include advice on community festivals, how to use sport to engage children and adults, how to use the Torch Relay to impact your community and how to be a ‘Games Pastor’.

Register to secure your workshop choice online at morethangold.org.uk/getset