Confirming its commitment to grassroots triathlon, Tata Steel has broken its own record for the number of Tata Kids of Steel triathlon events scheduled to take place during the year of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The new record will help meet the series target of giving at least 50,000 youngsters the chance to have a fun, positive experience of sport by the end of 2012.
Tata Steel in partnership with British Triathlon is now able to confirm the dates and venues of the Tata Kids of Steel triathlon series events next year. The series, which has doubled in size since its launch in 2007, will visit 24 locations across the UK between April and July. To date, the Tata Kids of Steel triathlon series has enabled over 35,000 children from 400 schools to experience triathlon.
As the world celebrates sport in 2012, next year’s Tata Kids of Steel events will be the biggest series of children’s triathlon events in the UK, if not the world. Tata Kids of Steel events are inclusive and accessible to all school children aged between eight and 13 regardless of ability. The aim of the series is to give children a fun, positive experience of sport. All the equipment is provided, including bikes and helmets, and children only need to provide swimming and running kit. Every child receives a T-shirt, swim cap, gym sack and medal for participating.
Karl-Ulrich Köhler, Managing Director & CEO of Tata Steel in Europe, said “As the Corporate Partner of British Triathlon, Tata Steel has been instrumental in the growth, development and success of triathlon in the UK for the past six years.
“The Tata Kids of Steel events are truly inspirational – the children have a great day out, and are able to experience the fun and benefits of participating in sport. Tata Steel actively encourages employees to volunteer at the events, supporting the local communities Tata Steel operates in and enjoying the positive impact of these events.”
Zara Hyde Peters OBE, CEO of British Triathlon, added “Next year’s Tata Kids of Steel series is the biggest yet, giving even more budding triathletes the opportunity to learn about our fast growing, modern and dynamic Olympic sport of triathlon in the year that Britain is hosting the Olympic Games. We hope to inspire our young audience to go to Hyde Park and watch our triathletes this summer.”
The series launches in the Olympic host borough of Newham, East London on Tuesday 23 April 2012. There will be four London events in the north, south, east and west of the capital and the series will travel the length and breadth of the UK before finishing at Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, on Thursday 12 July.
Tata Steel employees will be volunteering to help at events in Teesside, Rotherham, Workington, Scunthorpe, Swansea, Mold, Birmingham, Corby and Belfast, all close to Tata Steel manufacturing or distribution sites in the UK.
The full list of Tata Kids of Steel events in 2012 is as follows:
1. East London, Newham – Tues 23 April
2. North London, Willesden – Weds 24 April
3. Cambridge – Thurs 25 April
4. Scotland – Tues1 May
5. Fife – Weds 2 May
6. Teesside – Thurs 3 May
7. Workington – Tues 15 May
8. Manchester – Weds 16 May
9. Belfast – Fri 18 May
10. Corby – Tues 22 May
11. Birmingham – Weds 23 May
12. Nottingham – Thurs 24 May
13. Portsmouth – Tues 29 May
14. Lewes, East Sussex – Weds 30 May
15. Maidstone, Kent – Thurs 31 May
16. West London, Ealing – Tues 12 June
17. South London – Weds 13 June
18. Essex – Thurs 14 June
19. South Wales, Swansea – Tues 19 June
20. Bristol – Weds 20 June
21. North Wales, Mold – Thurs 21 June
22. Bradford – Tues 10 July
23. Rotherham – Weds 11 July
24. Scunthorpe – Thurs 12 July
More information and contact details are available at www.tatasteeltriathlon.com or www.britishtriathlon.org.
