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To coincide with the Olympic Games starting in Cardiff, Powys County Council held a reception to celebrate the Games and active lives within the county at the Royal Welsh Showground.

Amongst the invited guests were a selection of Torchbearers from Powys who participated in the Olympic Torch Relay, which passed through Machynlleth, Llanymynech and Welshpool in May.

These included Welshpool High School student Adele Nicoll, Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre instructor Kevin Hamilton, former Special Olympian Colin Davies and Ysgol Penmaes pupil Hannah Charnley.

They were thanked by hosts Cllr David Jones, Leader of Powys County Council and Cllr David Meredith, Chairman of Brecknockshire, the host county of this year’s Royal Welsh Show.

Guests were also treated to a video package highlighting the Olympic-themed activities that have taken place in the county, including the Torch Relay, the Mini Olympics which over 4,000 schoolchildren have participated in over recent months, and various athletics and Paralympic events.

“Powys is a tremendous place for sport and active lifestyles and we are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful green spaces and a healthy environment,” said Cllr Jones. “We were able to show this off to the world when the Olympic Torch came to visit in May.

“I want to thank the Torchbearers who represent the 23 participants from Powys that ran with the Olympic flame for helping to put the county on the map. I hope they enjoyed the event and will continue to be inspired by it and further their sporting or charity ventures.”

The council’s Healthy Lifestyle’s campaign was also acknowledged, which encourages residents to enjoy bike rides and walking trails through some of the county’s scenic routes, and aims to improve the lifestyles of council staff.

This work has been rewarded by the Welsh Government who gave Powys County Council their Platinum Standard award as part of their Corporate Health Standard initiative.

“As well as providing great facilities for residents, we also think it’s important to focus on health and well being of our employees. We are the largest employer in the county and the Healthy Lifestyles campaign has helped us to do that,” added Cllr Meredith.

He added: “I would also like to pay tribute to our members of staff who have worked so hard to organise the Olympic events that have taken place. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to allow these events to take place.”

For one day, Llanidloes became Wales’ extreme sports hotspot as it hosted the first ever Powys X Games event, which aimed to encourage children with limited interest in traditional sports to try something a bit different. 

With Great Oak Street closed to traffic, over 100 youngsters between the ages of 11 and 18 participated in street sports activities such as wheelchair and street basketball, freestyle gymnastics, skateboarding, archery, street sprinting and cheerleading, with power kiting and mountain biking also taking place just outside the town centre.

The crowds in attendance were kept entertained thanks to a performance from the Savage Skills mountain bike display team who wooed them with a vast array of stunts and tricks on two wheels.

Tricia Turner, Sports Development Officer for Powys County Council said: “Sport Powys has put on a large number of events across the county to bring a little of the Olympic fever to the area, and this event was the first to provide non-traditional activities to the older youth age group.  

“We are hoping that all the events we have organised, such as the Mini Olympics events which have taken place all over the county, provide Powys with a lasting sporting legacy for years to come.”

Katie Hamer, Sports Development Officer added: “we were extremely lucky with the weather and are pleased that the event was well attended and ran so smoothly. 

“It was really enjoyable seeing young people participate in non traditional type activities and hopefully we’ll see more people enthusiastic to participate in sporting activities as a result.”

With the Olympics just over a month away, schools across Powys will be getting their pupils into the sporting mood by participating in National Schools Sports Week, which runs from 25 – 29 June.

The initiative aims to encourage children to take part in more Olympic and Paralympic sports and live the values of the Games. Last year over four million young people took part in Britain’s biggest celebration of school sport with many more expected this time round.

Having already held seven successful Mini Olympics events over the past few months, Powys County Council will be staging similar activities in Llanidloes on 25 June, Newtown on 27 June and Builth the following day. There will be a further seven following Schools Sports Week, which will take the total number of participating pupils to over 4,000.

Crickhowell High School students will also get the chance to try out new sports in their lunch hours including archery, blind football, wheelchair basketball boccia, golf, taekwondo and tennis throughout the week, whilst pupils from Gwernyfed High School can participate in boxing and judo lessons.

There will also be a large schools athletics meeting at Cefnllys County Primary School on Tuesday 26 June, whilst the county’s smaller schools will compete at Crossgates Primary School on Thursday.

A boys cricket festival is also planned for Monday 25 June to coincide with World Sport Day, which helps young people learn about the teams, athletes and cultures of the 205 competing nations and demonstrate how London 2012 has created friendships between young people around the world. 

The week’s festivities will conclude with the Powys Schools Swimming Gala in Brecon on Friday.

Situated right in the centre of the Llanidloes, Great Oak Street will be transformed into an extreme sports arena between 4-8pm on Saturday 23 June when the X Games take place.

The main objective of the event is to run free activities for young people who do not take part in traditional sports, but may wish to try their hand at activities such as freestyle gymnastics, skateboarding and cheerleading.

Other activities on offer during the day include archery, street and wheelchair basketball, street sprinting, street dancing and a BBQ, whilst there is also mountain biking taking place at Kennel Fields and power kiting at Llanidloes High School.

There will also be an on-street display from the UK's leading mountain bike stunt team Savage Skills, who specialise in providing interactive, jaw dropping shows suitable for audiences of all ages.

Children must register prior to the day through their nearest 5x60 Youth Service or YFC group.

Even though the Olympic Torch has been and gone, the spirit of the Games lives on in Powys as a host of primary schools took part in their own Mini Olympics following the Relay events in Welshpool and Machynlleth.

Over 750 pupils from 17 primary schools from around the county took part in events at Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre and The Flash Leisure Centre with their own version of the Opening Ceremony.

Each school represented a different country by dressing up with flags and decorated t-shirts, with Forden and Llanbrynmair winning prizes for their imaginative representation of Jamaica and the USA respectively.

The children were later coached by volunteers and participated in a variety of sports including karate, bowls, basketball, wrestling, laser rifle shooting, handball, golf, zumba and the Paralympic sports of boccia, blind football, seated volleyball and goalball, as well as being taught the Olympic mascot dance.

This was performed simultaneously by everyone at the Closing Ceremony, which saw children that demonstrated any of the Olympic values of determination, courage, inspiration, excellence, respect, equality and friendship given a wristband representing the value they had shown.

Wendy Langford, Young People’s Coordinator at Powys County Council, said: “Even though the Olympic Torch Relay has gone, it is important that we capitalise on the excitement surrounding sport that it has generated.

“The favourite part of my day was watching the children perform the dances from their countries, seeing the hard work they had all put in and the pride they took in their performances. It gave me goosebumps and really got me feeling the inspiration and magic of the Olympics.

“A big thank you must also go to all the coaches, community clubs and the leisure centres for letting us use their facilities and volunteers. Also a special thanks to Coleg Powys whose students were very professional and gave a good standard of coaching which the children all thoroughly enjoyed.

Powys residents ensured that Wales waved goodbye to the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay in style by turning out in their thousands as it passed through Llanymynech and Welshpool before crossing the border.

Crowds from Wednesday’s two events combined with Monday’s procession through Machynlleth has seen the turnout almost reach an estimated 20,000, ensuring that the Relay was greeted by packed streets wherever it entered the county.

An incredible 12,000 alone welcomed the Relay to Welshpool, including nearly 3,000 pupils from various schools around the county who noisily cheered on the Torchbearers as they ran along the route.

Despite only being in the village for three minutes, around 2,000 people squeezed into Llanymynech to watch Pete Latham carry the Torch along the main road before the carnival cavalcade headed towards Welshpool.

Running in front of her high school, athlete Adele Nicoll was first to run with the Flame through the town. The 15 year old is a junior shot put champion, and is tipped to be a future Olympian herself.

She said: “Running with the Torch was such an adrenalin rush and having all the support behind me was an incredible experience.

“The Torch was quite top heavy but it’s alright as I’m used to throwing shot puts, but whilst I was running I wasn’t tired, I just wanted to keep going.

“I managed to spot my mum and my dad and my coach in the crowd but going past my friends was such a buzz. Knowing they were there shouting my name and cheering me on was really cool.”

The honour of Wales’ final Torchbearer went to a heavily pregnant Hayley Lynch who was due to give birth to a little baby boy three days ago. Despite having to run twice as far as the other Torchbearers due to absentees, Hayley bravely brought the flame along Broad Street to St Mary’s Church where it was transferred back into the travelling lantern for the final time in Wales.

The fun wasn’t over though for a number of pupils who attended an Olympic Festival at The Flash Leisure Centre in Welshpool, where they represented a number of countries competing at this summer’s Olympics and enjoyed taster sessions in a number of sports including gymnastics and blind football.

A pupil from Welshpool High School got his moment to shine as he carried the Olympic Torch through Oswestry in front of huge crowds

Ryan Gardner from Kerry was one of eight Torchbearers selected to run in the border town before Olympic Torch Relay headed into Powys to visit Llanymynech and Welshpool.

The 12 year old is a member of the Get Set network, which attempts to inspire young people to get involved in London 2012 and the projects linked to it, as well as spreading the Olympic and Paralympic Values of friendship, excellence, respect, inspiration, determination, courage and equality.

Ryan currently captains the school’s football team and whilst his skills on the pitch have led to representing his county, his schoolwork has also remained at an excellent standard.

Describing his stint with the Torch, he said: “It was amazing, such a great experience and it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. As I was running I could spot all my family and my friends in the crowds and I never wanted it to end.

“I got nominated by doing well in both academics and sport and because of this I was selected by the school to be a part of the Get Set network.  It’s really good as not many people get selected so I’m very pleased.

“I’ve only just been selected so this is the first thing that I’ve done linked to the project which is amazing, but I’m looking forward to doing more things in the future.”

With large crowds attending and drenched in glorious sunshine, the Olympic Torch Relay has captured the imagination of the British public as it has moved through the country and next week will see Powys’ turn to host the summer spectacle.

Monday will see the Olympic Flame carried through the streets of Machynlleth just after 10am, before it is waved goodbye from Wales on Wednesday after visiting Llanymynech at around 10.30am and Welshpool at 10.50am.

Thousands of pupils from various schools around the county will be in attendance, and there is sure to be a large turnout from residents within the three communities and further afield on the day, as seen wherever the Relay has been so far.

It is advised that spectators arrive around an hour beforehand to get the best viewing areas, with the best sighting of the Relay and the chance to get free gifts from the sponsors available from the left side of the road, however everything will be also visible from the right.

To create as much unobstructed viewing space as possible along the route temporary parking restrictions will be placed upon Heol Pentrerhedyn and Heol Penrallt in Machynlleth, as well as on Broad Street in Welshpool. It is expected that these will be removed by 2pm at each event.

If the fine weather continues, spectators are advised to bring suncream and plenty of bottled water to ensure that they don’t get too hot.

Businesses on the Relay route are being asked not to arrange any deliveries after 7.30am as there will be no access to vehicles until after the area has been cleared.

As the Torch passes through the communities, a rolling road closure will be in effect organised by the police, but once the convoy has passed through that area these roads will be reopened. Motorists are warned to expect some traffic disruption on this day.

A diversion around Llanymynech on 30 May will also be in effect from the A483 Mardy Bridge junction, south of Four Crosses, along the B4393 via Shrewsbury towards Oswestry. This will mean there will be a road closure in operation from 9.30am until after the Relay has passed through the village.

Powys County Council will also be tweeting from the event, for all the latest updates over the two days follow @PowysCC on Twitter.

If you can’t get to the communities to watch the event in person, the BBC are streaming live coverage of the Torch as it progresses through the UK at www.bbc.co.uk/torchrelay.

Due to the Highway Agency’s decision to put in place a road closure on the A483 through Pant during the Olympic Torch Relay, Powys County Council have been forced to put a diversion around Llanymynech on 30 May from the A483 Mardy Bridge junction, south of Four Crosses, along the B4393 via Shrewsbury towards Oswestry.

This will mean there will be a road closure in operation from 9.30am until after the Relay has passed through the village. Anyone who wishes to attend the Llanymynech stage of the Relay is urged to arrive an hour before the scheduled arrive time of 10.30am.

Buses taking schools to the event are asked to put a sign in their front window indicating that they are attending the Relay.

Due to the Olympic Torch Relay heading through Machynlleth on Monday 28 May, Powys County Council will be unable to collecting recycling from certain parts of the town.

Properties affected by this are on:

• A487 Pentrerhedyn Street from the roundabout on the outskirts of town to the Clock Tower.
• A487 Penrhallt Street from the Clock Tower to the Memorial.
• A487 Doll Street from the Memorial to the Station
• A489 Maengwyn Street from the Clock Tower to the Forge Road junction
• properties on Bank Street, Ffordd Mynydd Griffiths and Bank Lane that lead off the above four streets.

These households will instead have their recycling collected on the following day, Tuesday 29 May, so please put your containers out on that day. A leaflet will be posted to all affected properties next week.

Powys residents are being urged to line the streets of Machynlleth, Welshpool and Llanymynech in under two weeks to witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay as it passes through the county.

The once in a lifetime event will see inspirational Torchbearers carry the Olympic Flame through the streets as it makes its journey around the country before arriving at the Olympic Stadium in time for the opening ceremony.

As well as the chance to catch of glimpse of the legendary Flame, the Relay also features vehicles and entertainment from sponsors Coca Cola, Samsung and Lloyds TSB who aim to create a carnival atmosphere all around the UK.

The Torch is expected to be on display on 28 May in Machynlleth from 10.07am and 10.14am, and 30 May in Llanymynech between 10.36am and 10.39am before re-appearing in Welshpool at 10.55am before leaving at 11.13am. These timings are approximate due to factors such as inclement weather, heavy traffic and dense crowds.

It is advised that spectators arrive around an hour beforehand to get the best viewing areas as there is expected to be a large attendance, with over 4,500 children representing 45 schools within Powys and numerous others from outside the county arriving to cheer on the Torchbearers.

These schools have been designated suitable areas to stand, however there will be plenty of room for everyone else. To get the best views of the Relay and any free gifts from the sponsors, the near or left side of the road is the best area, but it will be also visible from the right hand side.

With so many people likely to be attending, to create as much unobstructed viewing space as possible along the route temporary parking restrictions will be placed upon Heol Pentrerhedyn and Heol Penrallt in Machynlleth and Broad Street in Welshpool. It is expected that these will be removed by 2pm.

Businesses on the Relay route are being asked not to arrange any deliveries after 7.30am as there will be no access to vehicles until after the area has been cleared.

As the Torch passes through the communities, a rolling road closure will be in effect, organised by the police, but once the convoy has passed through that area these roads will be reopened. Motorists are warned to expect some traffic disruption on this day.

“I am thrilled that something as universally recognised as the Olympic Flame will be travelling through our county,” said Powys County Council Leader David Jones.

“I hope that residents from all over Powys can attend this wonderful spectacle and enjoy an unforgettable occasion right on their doorstep.”

Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre are gearing up for the Olympics this summer by holding a Cycling Family Fun Day on 26 May with a wide range of activities encouraging people to get on the saddle.

The free event is the perfect warm-up before the Olympic Torch Relay passes through Machynlleth two days later, with the morning and afternoon sessions allowing children the opportunity to try out trikes and go-karts, watch unicyclists perform and have a go on the stunt ramp.

There will also be an exhibition of classic bikes put on by the National Cycle Exhibition, Nintendo Wii bike games to play and the chance to create a healthy drink on a smoothie bike. Children just learning to ride will also have the opportunity to take part in cycling proficiency lessons.

Adults can get information on joining their local cycling club, give their bike a safety check and tune up or undertake a 35 mile peloton social ride arranged by Hafren Cycle Club.

For the younger children not quite ready to tackle two wheels, there will also be a bouncy castle and puppet show, as well as cycling-themed crafts and face painting, and local residents can also cool down with a free swimming session.

The evening will see things heat up when visitors can put their name down to compete in roller racing, where competitors race against each other on static bikes linked to a laptop, with prizes for male and female winners in the under 14s, juniors and seniors competitions.

With a licensed bar and food all day, it is the perfect way for your family to get into the Olympic spirit.

The event begins at 10am, with the roller racing competition kicking off at 4.30pm. More information can be found out by calling 01654 703300 or visiting http://broddyfileisure.powys.gov.uk.

Young athletes from Powys have competed against the best in the UK at an elite national championship.

Fourteen Powys youngsters represented Wales at the Sainsbury's 2012 UK School Games - a multi-sport event for the UK's elite young athletes of school age.

In this, its inaugural year, the games were held in the Olympic Park and other venues this month to build on the excitement and inspirations of the 2012 Games.

The Sainsbury's 2012 School Games aimed to create an inspirational and motivational setting which not only provides our elite young sports people with the opportunity to thrive and perform at the highest levels, but also encourage more young people to take part and succeed in sport.

Competitions were held in twelve sports, with over 1,600 athletes taking part.

Each of the twelve sports were combined into a four-day Games environment designed to replicate the feel of major event such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

The Powys athletes represented Wales in a variety of sports and all have earned their caps through previous qualifying rounds. They were:

Athletics
Adele Nicoll, Welshpool High School
Badminton
Emilie Gwilt, Welshpool High School

Fencing
William Sturgeon, Gwernyfed High School
Martha James, Christ College, Brecon
William James, Gwernyfed High School
Aled Scudamore, Christ College, Brecon.
Hannah Bevan, Crickhowell High School

Hockey
Ben Wigmore, Christ College, Brecon

Judo
Kirsty Powell Coleg Powys Brecon

Rugby Sevens
Bronnie Jones, Coleg Powys Brecon.

Swimming
Ffion Butler, Newtown High School
Daniel Jones, Welshpool High School

Wheelchair Basketball
Ben Jones, Caereinion High School
Frankie Jones, Caereinion High School

Brecon High School has taken top honours in an Olympic inspired sports tournament.

The Powys Schools Badminton Championships, held at Llandrindod Wells Sports Centre last month (Saturday 21 April), saw sixty secondary school pupils from across the county battle it out across three age groups.

The top three finishers in each age group (13 and under, 15 and under, 18 and under), received specially minted gold, silver and bronze medals as part of the London 2012-inspired Gemau Powys Games.

Brecon High School finished top of the medals table thanks to the combined efforts of siblings Rekhi and Saraswati Thapa, who had a hand in all of their school’s eight medals.

Llandrindod Wells High School finished second with three gold, three silver and three bronze medals.  Crickhowell (eight medals) John Beddoes (six medals) and Builth Wells (five medals) high schools also performed strongly on a day characterised by close competition while Newtown High School collected one medal on their return to the event after a few years away.

Matt James, Powys County Council’s Area Sports Development Officer, said: “We’re delighted to have had sixty young players competing in this tournament, who all had a genuine passion for badminton.

“The investment we have made in coaching and local competitions is starting to pay off and the sport has benefitted enormously from the 5x60 programme in high schools.  There are now hundreds of children playing the game during their lunch breaks and in after-school clubs.”

The winners were:

13 and under boys singles winner: Matthew Reynolds, Crickhowell High School

13 and under girls singles winner: Emma Kolano-Rogers, Llandrindod Wells High School

13 and under boys double winners: Joseph Bishop-Connolly and Rhys Cadwallader-Jones, Llandrindod Wells High School

13 and under girls double winners: Chloe Devine, Brecon High School and Rosie Emerson, John Beddoes School.

15 and under boys singles winner: Rekhi Thapa, Brecon High School.

15 and under girls singles winners: Saraswati Thapa, Brecon High School.

15 and under boys doubles winners: Andy Leonard and Tinagone Phonsen, Llandrindod Wells High School

15 and under girls doubles winners: Rosie Emerson and Rhian Powell, John Beddoes School

15 and under mixed doubles winners: Rosie Emerson and Justin Sharp, John Beddoes School

18 and under boys singles winners: Brandon Lewis, Builth Wells High School

18 and under girls singles winners: Jess Rees, Crickhowell High School

18 and under boys doubles winners: Brandon Lewis and Conway Jones, Builth Wells High School

18 and under mixed doubles winners: Saraswati and Rekhi Thapa, Brecon High School

Pupils across the county will be able to dine Olympic style next month as Powys County Council introduces school lunch menus to celebrate this summer’s sporting extravaganza.

The council’s Catering Service has produced a special menu to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics taking place later this year.  The Olympic Week menu will be available at primary and secondary schools from Monday 21 to Friday 25 May.

Every day of the menu has its on unique theme celebrating the Olympics, starting with American Day recognising the Atlanta 1996 Olympics and ending on the Friday with British Day for the London 2012 Olympics.

Delyth Jones, the Council’s Principal Catering Manager, said: “The Olympics are a global icon and sporting extravaganza so it is only right we embrace this once in a lifetime opportunity.  We have produced this special menu for this occasion and we hope pupils will enjoy what we produce throughout the week.”

The two-course menu at primary and secondary schools during the week will  follow the exiting round the world menu, with each day having a nation name and flavour, and based on previous Olympic destinations:

American Day – Atlanta 1996 Olympics (Monday)

Australian Day – Sydney 2000 Olympics (Tuesday)

Greek Day – Athens 2004 Olympics (Wednesday)

Chinese Day – Beijing 2008 Olympics (Thursday)

British Day – London 2012 Olympics (Friday)

Pupils at Brecon’s special school Ysgol Penmaes got a top class introduction to table tennis when Paralympian Rob Davies paid a visit.

The Brecon ace, who has been selected for Team GB’s wheelchair table tennis squad for this summer’s Paralympic Games, took on youngsters at the Canal Road school before answering their questions.

Table tennis has been a popular activity during lunchtimes at the school, attracting over 25 pupils per week where they play weekly, singles and doubles games.

Rob's appearance was great for the children, who were thrilled to see him in action as he prepares to go for gold in London in September.

Welshpool High School has taken top honours in an Olympic inspired sports tournament.

The Powys Secondary Schools under 14, 16 and 18 hockey tournaments were held recently, with Welshpool High School reaching the final in each age category.

In the under 14 play-off, Welshpool beat the team from Brecon High School. In the under 16's category, Crickhowell High School were the winners. Welshpool also made the final for the under 18 category, but were beaten by Christ College in Brecon.

The competition is the latest event to be completed in 'Gemau Powys Games' - a series of competitions inspired by the London 2012 Olympics. Over the next few months, secondary school pupils will compete for medals in 11 Olympic sports and Paralympic events. Much like the games, competitors finishing either first, second or third receive points which will goes towards an overall medal table.

Gareth Oldham, Powys County Council’s Sports Development Manager stated: "The Gemau Powys Games concept aims to revitalise competitive sport in Powys’ secondary schools, providing the county with a fitting legacy of the London 2012 Olympics.

"We congratulate Welshpool High School for winning the latest competition. Hockey continues to go from strength to strength in Powys and we thank PE teachers for supporting the game and helping to develop young players."

Sporting stars from South Powys have been honoured at the Brecon & Radnorshire Sports Awards.

The accolades, which are co-ordinated by Powys County Council's Sports Development team, recognise and celebrate success of local individuals and teams involved in sport at all levels.

Special guest for the evening was former international athlete Powys’s ‘Inspired By 2012 Champion’ Matt Elias. Compare for the awards for the second year running was cricketing legend Peter Walker MBE.

The winners in the Brecon & Radnorshire Sports Awards are:

- Young Sports Leader - Adam Jones

- Volunteer of the Year - David Sennitt

- Junior Team of the Year - Brecon RFC U11s Rugby Team

- Senior Team of the Year - Weale Brothers Bowls Team

- Female Coach - Frances Bateman

- Male Coach - Richard Jones

- Club of the Year - Brecon Hockey Club

- Young Disabled Sportsperson of the Year - Morgan Jones

- Junior Sportsperson of the Year (U12) - Luke Davies

- Young Sportsperson of the Year (U18) - Rhianwedd Price

- Disabled Sports Personality of the Year - Shain Lewis

- Outstanding Service to Sport - Michael King, Derek Osborne, Brian Prosser, David Vaughan

- Outstanding Achievement Award - Chaz Davies

- Sports Personality of the Year - Natalie Powell

Matt James, Physical Activity & Sports Development Officer with Powys County Council: "The awards give us a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise local sporting dedication. During this historic Olympic year, it is wonderful that two Welsh sporting stars could join us in supporting and celebrating sport and physical activity in Powys."

A similar event for Montgomeryshire took place earlier this year.

A group of secondary school pupils from across Powys will be encouraging their classmates to take part in sporting activities in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Each secondary school and special school in the county, as well as Coleg Powys, has nominated two pupils as silver ambassadors who will also be referred to as adiStar leaders. Thirty four pupils have been selected as Silver Ambassadors and they will now promote sports and the Olympic and Paralympic values to children within their schools and communities.

The initiative is part of the Young Ambassador Movement which is aiming to empower and inspire young people to become role models and leaders through sport, by developing their confidence and skills in order to increase physical activity participation in others. It will recognise and reward committed young sports leaders in Powys schools and communities with further training and opportunities.

The ambassadors attended an adiStar training day in Llandrindod Wells on Monday (19 March) to prepare them for their new role, The day, which was organised by Powys’ five Gold Young Ambassadors, included fun activities such as creating an Olympic themed Street Cheer and Dragons Den.

Dominic Jones from Maesydderwen High School, Hanna Owen from Llanidloes High School, Abbie Price from John Beddoes High School, Hannah Charnley from Ysgol Penmaes and Mollie Gibbons from Gwernyfed High School were selected as the Gold Ambassadors and will be supported by the silver ambassadors.

The ambassadors were lucky enough to have Hazel Wilson, the recently appointed Welsh Lawn Bowls Manager for the Commonweatlh Games in Glasgow, to attend the training day. Hazel spoke to the Ambassadors about her experiences and gave them some tips for the future, pupils had the chance to speak to her and ask any questions.

Wendy Langford, the council's Active Young People Co-ordinator, said: "It was great see these enthusiastic youngsters at the training day. They really want to make a difference and go back to their schools so that they can inspire others to get active and feel excited about the Olympics and Paralympics."

Powys residents will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the spectacle of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay when the historic flame passes through the streets of Machynlleth, Llanymynech and Welshpool in May.

The flame’s presence in Powys will offer everyone a chance to participate in the countdown to this summer’s sporting extravaganza, and it is hoped that residents countywide will line the streets to share in the excitement whilst also celebrating the achievements of the inspirational Torchbearers.

The first chance for people to catch a glimpse of this historic event will be on 28 May when the Relay arrives in Machynlleth at 10.07am, and travels through the town along the A483 before heading towards Bangor.

It then returns to Powys two days later when it passes through Llanymynech just after 10.30am before appearing in Welshpool at 10.55am, where it will takes in Salop Road and Broad Street before departing Wales at 11.13am towards its ultimate destination of the Olympic Stadium.

After travelling from its spiritual home of Olympia in Greece, the flame will embark on an 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, marking the official opening of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Jeremy Patterson, Chief Executive of Powys County Council, said: “It is a fantastic honour for Powys to welcome a global icon such as the Olympic Torch and we are sure that it’ll be an unforgettable day.

“The Torch Relay is a great opportunity for our residents to participate in the Olympics, and we hope they turn out in their numbers to cheer on the inspiration people who do so much good work within their communities.

“Powys County Council are aiming to develop and promote a number of activities for children and adults connected to the Olympic Games, and ensure that the excitement this event generates helps leave behind a sporting and cultural legacy.”

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG added: ‘Today we bring the Olympic Torch Relay to life. The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets.

“Now the people know the route the Olympic Flame will be carried along and the Torchbearers for their community, they can start planning how they might  celebrate and make it Powys’ moment to shine.”