"Playing by the rules, winning with pride, losing with grace and making friends along the way, in the hope that, through sport, we will help strengthen our community spirit."

                                                                             

A message from Saddleworth Village Olympics Chairman, Dave Wilson

On behalf of the Saddleworth Village Olympics ('SVO') organising team I would like to welcome you all to this year's Village Olympics, our 26th 'Olympiad', which this year kicks off on Saturday 10th September. My message is a simple one, and one which reflects the thoughts of the organisers of our first games over a quarter of a century ago. The games are about promoting and strengthening our local community through a common interest in sport and the development of our young people so that they enjoy the competition, make new friends, learn about winning and losing, and the importance of 'having a go' whatever the result.

It won't surprise you to hear that we now have the children of the children who competed in the early games competing this year, and that's something we can all pre proud of. Time stops for no one as they say and it won't be that long before today's competitors have grown up and are off making lives for themselves. Let's make sure they enjoy their experiences over the next few weeks so that they take away great memories, and come back with their children one day!!

I won't keep you much longer but there is some information you might find useful to help you get the most out of this year's Olympics and a few thank you's to say:

Event venue's - Due to the planned redevelopment of Churchill playing fields, this year our main venue is Saddleworth School. We are also grateful to our friends at Saddleworth Rangers, Tame Valley Tennis & Squash Club and Uppermill Sports Club for the use of their facilities. A full event schedule can be found here.

Event information - You will find all the information you need before, during and after the event at our website www.saddleworthvillageolympics.co.uk, including event schedules, locations, competition rules, up to date results and (lots of) photos.

Age groups & team qualification - The Olympics are open to all the young people of Saddleworth between the ages of seven and sixteen. As some children attend school in a different village to where they live they have the option of playing for either their home village or school village, but not both!!

Spirit of the Olympics - The games are really about participating and having fun. It's good to win but it's not the be all and end all. Please join in the spirit and remember that the event organisers, coaches, the referees and the other volunteers are doing their best. If you think someone's got a decision wrong and it costs your child or team, please just bite you lip and give them the benefit of the doubt.

Thank you - we wouldn't be here today without the support and dedication of a list of people and voluntary organisations that is too long to mention. This starts with the organising team, the village team managers and coaches, the local sports clubs, Oldham Sports Development helping out with coaching and refereeing at events, the local charities who provide much needed financial support, the guy who runs the website, the team that provide the catering .... On page [--] you will find a short thank you to some of our main supporters. There are many others and if you are reading this you will know who you are and how much we appreciate your contribution. The games would not happen without you. Special mention goes out to the people who got us to where we are today, who after many years of making this event happen, retired last year after our 25th Anniversary, but who have continued to provide sound advice and support to the new organising committee this year - Ben Hilton, Paul Rice, Jayne Fielding, Alison Holroyd & Kate McGrath.

Would you like to get involved? - If so, please have a word with any member of the committee, they are easy to spot, they will be those wearing blue SVO t-shirts at all the events.

And finally - on behalf of the organising committee I hope you all have a great time. Let's hope the rain stays away!!

Dave Wilson