Pupils from local school attended national training day at Aston Villa’s stadium alongside Britain’s London 2012 Olympic stars

Stepney school pupils are setting off on their own Road to Rio journey after rubbing shoulders with some of Britain’s London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic stars.

Stepney Green Maths, Computing and Science College joined over 65 other specially selected champion schools at Aston Villa’s Villa Park last Wednesday as part of the Get Set for Community Action national training day.

Created by the British Olympic Foundation and British Paralympic Association and made possible due to the Big Lottery Fund, the new UK-wide programme aims to help thousands of 14-19 year olds to strengthen relationships between young people and their communities.

As well as being offered support and ideas to play a community project using the Olympic and Paralympic Games values as their inspiration, the pupils were also joined in Birmingham by four-time Olympian and former sprinter Christian Malcolm and London 2012 para-rowing champion David Smith who offered their own expert advice.

Year 12 pupil Kazem Ahmed was one of a handful of Stepney Green Maths, Computing and Science College pupils in attendance and, after meeting Malcolm and Smith, he is now bursting with ideas for his local community.

“It’s been really useful to come to this season. The activities have been promoting the essence of community spirit and how you can implement that in the event you are running,” said the 17-year-old.

“How you can overcome and improve any event you are helping coach and run. I think you can apply it to everyday life not just in coaching or projects like this.

“We are trying to promote more kids to get into sports and also to get the community together and more involved.

“Rio 2016 is something that people have been waiting for and try and promote the values that comes with the Olympics into our community.

“Christian and David are so inspirational, they are from our type of background but have gone on to be successful and it makes anyone feel they can go on to be an Olympian or Paralympian if you continue with your sport.”

Stepney Green Maths, Computing and Science College were not the only representatives from the area in attendance with St Paul’s Way Trust School and Sir John Cass Redcoat School also taking the chance to develop their own community ideas.

With less than ten months to go until the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio, the young pupils will be able to help build pride and excitement in the lead-up to next summer.

And while Malcolm will not be competing in Brazil having retired from athletics in 2014, the Welshman had relished reliving his Olympic memories by supporting the new programme.

“The Get Set for Community Action initiative is very good at trying to engage the wider community and builds upon the legacy of 2012,” he said.

“The fact that you have got so many schools here from different areas and different backgrounds here, and they can take these ideas home into their community is great.

“I have been impressed with how enthusiastic they have all been at the session and they have been coming up with some great ideas.”

Get Set for Community Action is a new UK-wide programme for young people and their communities created by the British Olympic Foundation and British Paralympic Association and made possible thanks to the Big Lottery Fund. To find out more visit: www.getsetaction.org.uk.