The Street Sword project for Darlington has been awarded the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme.  The presentation was made by Charles Allen, Chair of Nations and Regions at LOCOG, at Darlington Dolphin Centre where children from the Longfield area helped demonstrate the basics of fencing.

The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Street Swords is about taking fencing activities to socially deprived areas in Darlington and focussing on young people who are considered as having challenging behaviour and targeted by social and welfare authorities. The project is in partnership with Darlington Youth Services and Sport Development teams, incorporating coach and leadership development, as well as learning how to fence.

Based at the Darlington Dolphin Centre, the Street Swords club is open to all those over 11yrs of age.  Community outreach work is where the targeted work takes place and is an opportunity to identify talent and commitment to the programme, either as a fencer or leader!

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said, ’The Inspire programme is ensuring the legacy of the 2012 Games starts now as projects like Street Swords are enabling people in Darlington to make positive life changes.’ Project designer and Regional Development Officer Beth Davidson says, ‘It is fantastic that Street Swords has been recognised and connected to the legacy of London 2012!  The project has been about challenging and challenges, socially, physically and in attitude!’

Street Swords meets at Darlington Dolphin Centre on Tuesday nights from 7.30pm. Web Page www.fencingnortheast.org/streetswords/index.htm.  For further information, contact Beth Davidson Regional Development Officer.  Tel. 07812078957  E-mail. [email protected]

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For further information please contact Karim Bashir on 07855 252 546 or [email protected]. Catch Sport, working in partnership with British Fencing.