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Accessing the Olympic Dream

08/04/2008
The Sport Theme Group, a consortium of West Midlands universities, has formed a unique collaboration with the Wenlock Olympian Society (WOS) for the Accessing the Olympian Dream project.
 
The group is developing an educational resource for use in primary schools to tell the story of William Penny Brookes, of Much Wenlock, and his role as the founding father of the Modern International Olympic Games.
 
The first phase of the project includes a teacher’s resource box, featuring a variety of professionally produced photos and archived text documents such as letters, newspaper extracts and programmes, and an educational board game. The second phase is a virtual Wenlock Olympian trail.
 
Kay Biscomb, Associate Dean from the University of Wolverhampton’s , said: "Accessing the Dream is a very exciting project which we hope will produce some excellent quality teaching resources for use in schools. Working with WOS in this way is fulfilling and a great collaborative opportunity.”
 
Helen Cromarty, of WOS, said: “WOS are delighted to work in partnership with the universities in order to promote the Society and the importance of William Penny Brookes.”
 
Teachers and advisors from Shropshire and Sandwell have assisted in the early stages of the development. The launch of Accessing the Olympian Dream will take place in September 2009, to coincide with William Penny Brooke’s bi-centenary birth date. Teachers from all over the region will be invited to take part in the launch.
 
All sports departments at higher education institutions in the West Midlands area are represented by the Sport Theme Group, including Wolverhampton, Worcester and Birmingham City universities.

Further information

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