Olympic Medallist Opens PlayFair 2012!

PRESS RELEASE
Date: 07 June 2012

British sporting legend, Steve Backley OBE, will open this year’s PlayFair event at 9.30am on 19 June, 2012. Steve is one of Britain’s most consistent and popular Olympians and is the only track and field competitor to win medals at three different Olympic Games. Swapping his javelin for scissors, Steve will cut the ribbon at the entrance to PlayFair 2012 which will be the fifth anniversary of the show.

Steve said: "I'm delighted to be opening PlayFair 2012. In Olympic year it's never been more important to highlight the role of play in getting our children active, increasing their physical confidence and acting as a route in to future sporting activities. Investment in play is vital for the future health, happiness and the sporting success of our nation."

Playfair 2012 is the UK’s largest trade event specifically targeted at play, sport and leisure professionals. It will be of particular interest to:

Local authority staff
Parish Councils
Schools and parents who are active in the community
Freelance play designers
Managers from the leisure and private sectors.

Playfair 2012 once again features a comprehensive seminar program featuring a wide range of current themes including:

ENTRUST: What is the Landfill Communities Fund and how does it work?
Bidding for Success: how to write a great playground funding bid
Play On! Creating playgrounds through the Spacehive funding platform
Change4Life – how communities and local authorities can get involved
British Heart Foundation: Encouraging active play for all age

To be held on the 19-20 June at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, Playfair 2012 is free to attend. To register, visit the Playfair website: www.playfairuk.com For further information contact Ray Baxter at Brintex on 020 7973 4695 or email: r.baxter@hgluk.com

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Editors Notes:
The Association of Play Industries (API) www.api-play.org is the lead trade body within the play sector, representing the interests of the manufacturers, installers, designers and distributors of both outdoor and indoor play equipment and safer surfacing. Founded in 1984 it represents approximately 85% of the market with more than 80 members.

Follow us on Twitter: @apiplay

Steve Backley OBE is the only British track and field competitor to win medals at three different Olympic Games. He broke the World Record three times and was crowned 'World Athlete of the Year' by the IAAF in 1990.

Children’s Rights: The API is a partner of the Right Year for Children campaign (RY4C) which aims to strengthen and raise awareness of children’s rights in England. To find out more, visit: www.ry4c.org.uk

The API operates under the umbrella of the Federation of Sports and Play Associations (FSPA) the national trade body responsible for representing 18 Associations in the UK’s sport and play industries. www.sportsandplay.com API Media Contact: Adam Steiner, PR/Communications Officer T: 024 7641 4999 ext. 217 E: adam@sportsandplay.com