News

Bedfordshire and Luton's Olympic opportunities group, BOOST, has been praised for showing the region the way when it comes team work in preparing for 2012.

BOOST was energic and entrepreneurial in getting off to such and early start said Stephen Castle, Chair of the Olympics' Nations and Regions (East) group. He told the gathering of business people and officials: It is privilege to see the breadth of involvement you have with the community.

BOOST was originally founded on the day London won the 2012 Olympic bid (July 6th 2005) by the Mayor of Bedford Frank Branston as the Bedford Olympic Opportunities Support Team. Founder members included the Bedford Borough Council and the Harpur Trust - BOOST has now amalgamated with the Luton Olympic Group to create an expanded sub-regional group and includes representatives from county, Mid, South Beds and Luton local authorities as well as businesses from across the geographical county.The Board has agreed to retain the BOOST title for the group.

Each major player has contributed £10,000 towards a 12-month forward funding effort. They are:

Bedford Borough Council

Beds County Council

Luton Borough Council

Mid Beds District Council

South Beds District Council

The Harpur Trust

University of Bedfordshire

JOBS, BUSINESS AND TRAINING

Said Bedford Mayor Frank Branston 'Businesses are already looking for opportunities directly from within their own market sectors - this brings great job opportunities for our area. Those same businesses are also using information made available by groups like the Bedford Borough Council's Bedford Development Agency and the Luton-based Chamber Business to find out about tendering for contracts.'

In addition, educational establishments like colleges and the University of Bedfordshire are identifying opportunities for learning leading up to 2012.

A good example of this is the 'On Your Marks' scheme where millions of EU pounds are being pumped into training for those wanting to skill up for the Olympics - whether it is sport, construction or other supporting jobs.

SPORTING CHANCES

An audit of sporting facilities meeting the standards required by international athletes in training is now being undertaken. This will enable the county to be included in key documentation made available to sporting teams around the world immediately after the 2008 Bejing Olympics - so they can begin planning for 2012. The object is to encourage foreign teams to choose to set up preparation camps in Bedfordshire in the lead up to the opening of the athletes village in London at the of the games. This alone could bring vital benefits to the area in terms of sports-related tourism. The Bedford Athletics Stadium is just one venue, the proposed rowing lake at Willington another.

Lloyd Conaway, who represents Bedfordshire and Luton on the Olympics Nations and Regions group, says feedback from the top says: BOOST is doing some excellent work in pulling things together for the area. There is a real team approach in Bedfordshire and Luton. BOOST is determined to do all it can to realise the benefits of the Olympics and Paralympics for its community.

TOURISM MILLIONS

In addition, tourism could be a massive source of income for Bedfordshire as millions crowd into the capital. Bedfordshire with London Luton Airport and train links to London would be an ideal staging post, providing alternative overnight accommodation to London or a day trip destination for tourists who want to see more of the UK.

NEWS FLASH

HOWARD DARBON HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY BOOST TO LEAD BID FOR PLACE ON STARTING LINE FOR COUNTY

His role will be to provide a vital document, on behalf of BOOST, that identifies opportunities for competing nations to base themselves in Bedfordshire and Luton for pre-games training and holding camps. This will be submitted to the East of England Development Agency, and thereafter, to London 2012. Howard is a seasoned campaigner in the field of sports development, having been a Director of Sport England and very actively involved in local sport, particularly athletics.

 

Note to News Desks:

Chair of BOOST is Mayor of Bedford Frank Branston who can be contacted on 01234 267422

Howard Darbon can be contacted on 01234 309653

Issued by Manners PR on behalf of BOOST. Jacquie Manners is a BOOST board member. 07971 216014