York students and graduates achieve their Olympic dreams
As the nation celebrates the achievements of Team GB at
London 2012, students and graduates of York St John University are
fulfilling their very own Olympic dreams.
York St John University Vice Chancellor,
Professor David Fleming, said: “It’s fantastic to see our students
and graduates using the skills they’ve gained at university to be
part of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. We are very
proud of everyone who has been chosen for this once in a lifetime
experience to work, perform and volunteer at this year’s Games and
wish them all the very best of luck in their future careers.”
Jennifer Dunn, a third year Sports Society and
Development student at York St John University, is involved in the
football at Newcastle SportsDirect.com stadium as part of the 2012
Olympics. Jennifer was selected for the role after applying online
and taking part in an all-day interview. Jennifer said: “It’s
amazing to be part of the Olympics. I’ve been playing football
since I was 12 years old and have always enjoyed watching the
sport. I would love to work within the sport industry as an event
organiser or development officer so this is really valuable
experience for me.”
Lisa Wiles, a physiotherapy graduate from York
St John University, was selected to work at this year’s Olympics.
Since graduating in 2008, Lisa has opened her own clinic ‘Hands
That Heal – Physio and Massage’ and gained valuable experience
working in sport for her local rugby team, GB wheelchair
basketball, Hull Stingray Ice Hockey team, Yorkshire Jets Netball
team and Rapid Tennis Academy. At this year’s Olympics, Lisa
is treating athletes from around the world. Her first role is in
Newcastle, working with soccer teams for ten days, she will then
make her way to London for the wheelchair basketball games as part
of the Paralympics.
Catherine Hague, a second year Sports Society
and Development student at York St John University, will be helping
with the Paralympic sport GoalBall. Having been involved in
the sport during her time at University, Catherine was asked to
apply for the role by Olympic organisers.
Three Sides Theatre, a theatre company formed at York St John
University last October, was chosen to be the official street
performers for the cultural Olympiad during the 2012 Olympics. The
third year film and television production with theatre studies
students, Carys Cook, Sarah Kay and Chris Ward, are currently
performing on Tower Bridge. Olympic entertainment chiefs have asked
them to bring the same warmth to the streets of London that they
brought to York when they took to the streets with their sofa and
invited people to talk to them about anything they wished. Three
Sides Theatre use performance and the media as a way of bringing
communities together, creating a voice for those who have a story
to tell.
York St John University alumni Julee Sanderson
was part of the Olympic ceremony, she said: “It still sounds very
surreal to me to say ‘I was drumming during the Olympic opening
ceremony’ but I was. Donned in industrial revolution garb, I
stepped out in front of a stadium full of 80,000 people and
billions more on TV screens around the world and drummed my heart
out for 17 minutes.
“Although we’d had two dress rehearsals in
front of audiences, the reaction on the night was just incredible.
The best moment for me was after the rings were lit and the music
stopped; there was a brief pause and then the stadium erupted into
applause. It is a feeling I cannot describe.
“I was also lucky enough to be marshalling in
the athletes’ parade. My role was as human barrier to keep
the athletes safe and stop them getting into areas they were not
supposed to be in, as well as some dancing to keep the crowds
entertained. My position was in front of the royal box, and I had a
very peculiar moment of coming out of a dance move and looking up
to see the Queen looking right at us. It felt a long way from my
final year performance in St. Mary Magdalene’s Leper Chapel in
Ripon!”
Picture shows: York St John University Physiotherapy
graduate Lisa Wiles
For further press information please contact Louise
McKenzie, PR & Communications Officer on T: 01904 876466 or
E: l.mckenzie@yorksj.ac.uk
