Local representatives set to complete lap of honour
SANDWELL representatives at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will enjoy a lap of honour at today’s Hawthorns clash with Newcastle (ko 3pm).
Around 20 people from the borough who had an official role at last year's Games – including torchbearers, games makers, competitors, organisers, volunteers and participants from the opening and closing ceremonies – will take to the pitch at half-time.
They will also be helping to launch Sandwell's 5x30 Time to Get Active campaign – aimed at encouraging local people to be more active.
The new www.getactivesandwell.co.uk website is packed with details of events, sports clubs and other ideas to help people find ways to be more active in their daily lives.
Getting behind the Get Active campaign at Albion's training ground earlier in the week were James Morrison and Youssouf Mulumbu, two of Albion’s most active players, .
The midfield pair consistently rank highly in terms of distance covered per match both within the club and across the Premier League as a whole.
Leader of the Sandwell Council, Darren Cooper, said: "The memories of last summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games are still fresh in our minds, and we want to keep the spirit of London 2012 very much alive here in Sandwell.
"I was very proud that people shone a light for Sandwell with official roles at London 2012.
"Saturday's event is a fantastic opportunity for them to take centre stage right here in Sandwell, to thank them for their inspirational efforts and to launch this physical activity campaign.
"We want people to reap the benefits of more regular physical activity.
“I urge people to check out the new website.
"And where better to launch this 5x30 campaign than at the home of our Premier League football team?
“Boing! Boing! Thanks also to West Bromwich Albion for hosting this event."
Fitting 30 minutes of physical activity into the usual routine brings real health benefits.
This isn't just about sports and can be anything from playing with the kids to doing housework or DIY or walking to the shops or mowing the lawn.
There are lots of ways you can be active at home, at work or at one of Sandwell's many parks.
The following people will take part in the half-time lap of honour:
- Ravendar Bangar (Torchbearer)
- Martin Bridgwood (Track cycling manager)
- Beth Broadhead (Torchbearer)
- Ryan Cockbill (Torchbearer, Paralympic shooting, Paralympics opening ceremony) with his dad Andrew Cockbill
- Steve Dugmore (Paralympics closing ceremony)
- Jessica Gripton (Torchbearer)
- Sam Hayer (Weightlifting field of play manager, games maker)
- Georgie-Lee Heeley representing her dad ‘Blind’ Dave Heeley (torchbearer, Paralympics closing ceremony)
- Lisa Higgins (Torchbearer)
- Graham Howell (Torchbearer)
- Lewis Leone (Torchbearer)
- Ron Nicholls (Torchbearer)
- Nayan Patel (Games maker)
- Jaivir Pall representing his mother Dr Niti Pall (Torchbearer)
- Satnam Rooprai (Dhol drummer – Olympics closing ceremony)
- Dennis Sanders (Torchbearer)
- Mumtaz Shah (Games maker)
- Juanita Williams (Torchbearer)
- Jenny Withers (Crowd volunteer – Marathon)
- Faustina Titus-Glover (Games maker)