11 months ago

Led by ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Craig Hunter along with Deputy Chef de Mission (Performance) Penny Briscoe and Deputy Chef de Mission (Operations) Ann Hogbin and running across two days, the workshop was provided to 60 team leaders, medical personnel and press operations staff.

The workshop incorporated updates on anti-doping regulations, athlete welfare, and press operations, and also included a tour of the Paralympic Village and ParalympicsGB House.

“It’s been an incredibly valuable two days”, said Hunter. “We are now just 77 days away from the start of the Paralympic Games so it is absolutely crucial that every member of ParalympicsGB – be it core staff, medical staff or team leaders – knows where we are with our planning. It is also important for us that we continue to receive feedback from our sports about anything that we could improve on in our plans.”

"After all, we want to make sure our athletes have everything they could need in order to produce their lifetime best performances in London."Craig Hunter, Chef de Mission, ParalympicsGB

Gareth Sheppard, Team Leader for Cycling, said: “It’s been an incredibly useful two days. The operational updates have provided critical information to help Team Leaders to plan effectively for the Games. A lot of time has been dedicated to provide clarity in the plans for ParalympicsGB at Games time, which helps us to put the final touches in place for our athletes.

“We’ve also had useful insights into the Paralympic Village which will help us to prepare the athletes and enable us to tweak our plans for the team, making sure they are as comfortable as possible before they compete.”

David Hunter, Team  Leader for Equestrian, said: “This workshop has been very good. It’s really brought home how organised ParalympicsGB are in their preparations for the Games and it is clear how advanced their planning is on all areas, including logistics and administration. It puts my sport in a very good position as we move towards our team selection and the Games themselves.

Peter Eriksson, Team Leader for Athletics, commented: “We have done a series of Team Leader workshops which have all been very information and helpful. The last few days have been a great learning experience for all of us, and for me it’s all critical information about how things will be work and be organised."

"It’s also important for us to get together for these sessions because we have to work together as a team to ensure that we are a leading nation at the Paralympic Games.”Peter Eriksson, Team Leader, Athletics

Dawn Newbury, Team Leader for the Paralympic-specific sport of Goalball, commented: “As team leaders we are leaving no stone unturned! The last two days has given us a chance to work together across the summer sports and focus on the key factors that could give us an edge. Workshops and a final chance to look around the village really allow you a chance to consider your final 10 weeks of performance planning.”

This was the final Team Leader workshop before the London 2012 Paralympic Games.