Gift McLaren was an Olympic Games Maker for the Beach Volleyball events at Horse Guards Parade.

A large number of learners at Lambeth College have been raking in the benefits of the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer. Volunteering opportunities and free tickets to major events at the Olympic Park were offered to the College's most deserving and dedicated students. 

Gift McLaren has just completed the Sport and Exercise Science - BTEC Level 3 Diploma course at our Clapham Centre and is now destined for Brunel University to study a BSc Hons Degree in Sports Science. During the Olympic games, Gift worked as a Games Maker at Horse Guards Parade for the Beach Volleyball competitions. Gift was responsible for raking and treating the sand courts before and during each match.

Gift said: “I have just had the best summer ever! I think the experience of taking part in one of the biggest sporting occasions in this country will live with me forever. It was through the College and my fantastic tutor, Michael, that I got this opportunity and it has filled me with a renewed enthusiasm for sport and being part of the sports industry. I’ve also joined an athletics club and will be competing for the South London Harriers at Crystal Palace NSC over the new season.”

Besides work and volunteering opportunities, London Mayor Boris Johnson donated a large number of Olympic tickets to Lambeth College. One hundred and fifty students went to various events at the Olympics and Paralympics and one student, Carlene Harris, actually took part as a dancer in the opening and closing ceremonies.

Students Ali, Phil, Fred, Kailash and Bekele with Sports Coach Rytis (centre) at the Olympic Stadium during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Sports Coach, Rytis Kumpelis, runs the gym and a whole host of sports and enrichment activities at Lambeth College. He took a group of students to see Team GB’s Women’s basketballers in action against Brazil in their first round pool game at the Basketball Arena. He said: “This was a fabulous reward for the students. They saw the games, met athletes and got to look around the park. The atmosphere was amazing.”

Only students who had served the college or had fulfilled outstanding achievement criteria were eligible for tickets. This included students who volunteered as ambassadors, sports leaders, peer mentors or who took part in citizenship schemes. Other students who had exceptional punctuality, attendance and behaviour records and those who had achieved amazing results whilst on course were also treated to free tickets.

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