Anyone who knows me knows that sport is at the heart of my life. It is therefore a great pleasure and an honour for me to welcome you to the website of an organisation that places sport at the heart of Milton Keynes, Sport MK.
Of course the Brits have always cherished sport and now the prospect of a UK Olympics has further reinforced this. I expect most people in England remember where they were when they heard that London had been awarded the Olympic Games. I remember, (to my slight embarrassment) jumping up and pumping the air with my fist! I was overjoyed for London and for our whole country, but also specifically excited for our wonderful city of Milton Keynes. The 2012 Olympics, together with the chance of hosting the 2018 Football World Cup finals, has given all budding sports stars a chance to aim for the stars! Now more than ever we need to invest in our local sports clubs, teams and individual athletes. That is why Sport MK is such an important organisation. Its committee of volunteers represent and co-ordinate the rich variety of sport within the Milton Keynes area and wisely distribute much needed investment. By facilitating and directing funds from a wide range of bodies they could be creating the next Usain Bolt and David Beckham right here in MK!
However it is not just about creating future superstars or nurturing the super talented. Alongside our excitement over professional and elite sport, Sport MK reminds us that sport can enrich the lives of all individuals and all communities. Through sport one can gain new skills and boost self-confidence, build and strengthen relationships, and bring a sense of wellbeing and balance into busy lives. I know that without playing a spot of cricket for the House of Commons team, and certainly without regular attendance at MK Dons fixtures, my life would be infinitely more stressful and a lot less fun! The competitive nature of sport has also helped me to become more driven and goal orientated in other areas of life. Furthermore I’ve gained new, important relationships as colleagues become team-mates, fellow football fans become friends and opponents are treated as respected rivals. Basketball legend Magic Johnson famously said, ‘ask not what your team mates can do for you, but what you can do for your team mates.’ Sport helps create both ambitious and community minded individuals who in turn build both caring and dynamic communities. That is what both Sport MK and I want for Milton Keynes.
So it is with pleasure that I thank Sport MK for their important and exciting work and welcome you to their website. Don’t wait until 2012 to get involved in supporting local sport, let the games begin for you today!
