Jessica Ennis says Sky Sports Living for Sports enhances lives of young people
Jessica Ennis says the Sky Sports Living for Sports awards showcase the best qualities of young people.
By Oli Burley - @SkySportsOli
Last Updated: 15/03/13 8:06am
Olympic gold medallist Ennis is an ambassador for the initiative, which aims to improve the lives of young people through sport. Over a third of secondary schools in the UK have already signed up.
On Friday Ennis will attend the Sky Sports Living for Sport awards at Sky Studios, where the Student of the Year 2012 will be chosen from 12 regional finalists.
You can watch the ceremony live on your laptop or PC at www.skysports.com/SSLFSawards from 11.30am on Friday.
Ennis, who won Heptathlon gold at London 2012, says the ceremony celebrates all that is good about sporting success.
"I'm really looking forward to attending the Sky Sports Living for Sport awards," said Ennis. "Picking a winner is so difficult because the regional winners all have inspiring stories to tell.
"The Olympics made me realise more than ever just how big an impact sport has on kids around the country.
"Through Sky Sports Living for Sport I've got a brilliant opportunity to get involved and share some of my experiences with young people."
Champions
In February Sky Sports Living for Sport recruited an extra 26 sporting stars to swell the number of Athlete Mentors involved in the programme to over 70.
Each was chosen by the Youth Sport Trust because they have overcome a range of challenges to achieve sporting success - stories that they can tell to inspire students and help improve the lives of others.
Ennis said: "The Athlete Mentors do a great job, sharing their experiences and the journeys that they've been on and together we hope to inspire kids to get involved in sport in some capacity. Sport teaches you so much.
"I was involved in sport from a young age and it has taught me a lot; it has taught me how to be focussed, disciplined and organised in what I do. You develop skills that you take in to other parts of your lives - values that will stand you in good stead at school and later life.
"It's so important to make sure that young people can access sport and are encouraged to get involved because it is so beneficial for them and hopefully some will go on and be future champions."
To read about the 12 regional finalists contesting the Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year 2012 award, click here.
Find out about the three finalists for the Sky Sports Living for Sport Teacher of the Year 2012 by clicking here.
To find out more about Sky Sports Living for Sport - or to sign up - simply visit www.skysports.com/livingforsport.
