Lord Seb Coe welcomes South Devon College to Get Set squad

Only recently the college staged the 'Special Inspiration Games', a two-day celebration of disability sport that enabled over 160 young people from across South Devon to take part in a range of different Olympic activities. The Games were organised and run by students from the College's Sports Development course. Now its efforts to inspire young people to get involved have been rewarded – with an endorsement from Olympic great Sebastian Coe, the Chairman of the London Olympic organising committee.

Lord Coe said:  "I am proud to welcome South Devon College in to the Get Set network for their exciting work around the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect and the Paralympic values of inspiration, courage, determination and equality."

South Devon joins schools and colleges across the UK as members of the Get Set network – a special community of organisations who will lead the way in promoting the key values, raising awareness of the London Games and inspiring young people to get involved.

Kate Filochowski of the Education Unit of the 2012 games attended the Special Inspiration Games and presented a Get Set plaque and certificate to the College's Sports Co-ordinator Lynn Squire.

Kate said: "The students at South Devon College are excellent examples of how London 2012 is helping to spark young people's imagination and inspiring them to get involved and make a difference.

"They have clearly demonstrated that London 2012's education programme extends far beyond PE and sport and I hope they will motivate other young people to join their journey."

Lynn, who led the bid to join the Get Set network, said: "We have worked hard to get this prestigious recognition. It reflects our commitment to promoting the Olympic values to our students and the local community.

"Our Special Inspiration Games allowed young people with learning disabilities the opportunity to try out lots of sports and have a fantastic day. Our sports students organised and ran the sessions, and were supported by students from other courses including the Public Services, Travel & Tourism and media – who made an amazing film of the event. It was a real cross-college effort."

South Devon College Principal Stephen Criddle fully supported the application to join the Get Set network.

He said: "We are really excited by this great chance for our young people to get even more involved and further participate in the unique opportunities that the 2012 Olympics provides."

The College is planning to stage more events in the run-up to the 2012 games.