The Phoenix Canoe Club, based on the Welsh Harp reservoir in North London, has been successful in landing a dream role for eight young members at the Olympic Games as Young Games Makers (YGM). The YGM scheme was set up to offer 16-18 year-olds the chance to work on the Olympics sites, with 2,000 young people already landing places.
The team of eight young people and two leaders from the Phoenix Canoe Club will be providing the YGM Technology Team at the Lee Valley Whitewater Course for the canoe slalom over the full five days of the events. The Technology Team provides the critical timing, scoring and results service for the competitions, so the YGM’s will be among the first to find out the official outcomes of each event and will be responsible for printing and distributing them.
Most of the team have already paddled on the superb facilities at the Lee Valley venue either in kayaks or rafts. Team Leader Johann Meeke said “It will be a fantastic opportunity for the young people at the club. To be right there in the heart of the Olympics is going to be a brilliant experience”.
One of the YGM’s, Jai Padhiar, has also been selected to carry the Olympic Torch by the London Borough of Brent. Meanwhile, another YGM, Johann Meeke, will be representing the Phoenix Canoe Club in the Queens Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames on 3rd June. He will be paddling a kayak as part of the 1,000 vessel flotilla.
The Phoenix Canoe Club offers kayaking, canoeing and bell boating to its club members, schools and youth groups in the North London area. The Phoenix Canoe Club is affiliated to the British Canoe Union and operates a progressive programme of training & activities including river trips, whitewater and surf training.
For more information see www.phoenixcanoeclub.co.uk
