My Our Sporting Life journey began 18 months ago at the Museum of Wigan Life, where I am involved in a youth group called the Youth Heritage Action Team (YHAT). The group was asked to create an exhibition for Our Sporting Life project - and this goal was realised early in December 2011, when the 'Rugby and the Rest' exhibition was launched at the Robin Park Sports and Tennis Centre in Wigan.
During this process, I met Adele Finley. She subsequently invited me to be part of the bigger Our Sporting Life project at the Manchester Art Gallery, where another group of young people would research, design and brainstorm to create an exhibition to be placed in the new National Football Museum at the Urbis in Manchester. I instantly took the opportunity to participate in, what would be, the grand finale of Our Sporting Life.
I have a keen interest in sport. From the age of 8, I have played tennis competitively, most recently winning the 14 & Under Lancashire Championships and representing the county in 2009. However, in the same year, I was diagnosed with a pars defect of my lumbar vertebrae (a stress fracture). This was a frustrating injury that forced me to rest until the fracture healed. I have not played tennis competitively since, and I desperately miss the national tennis circuit.
However, the depressing effects of this setback were subdued by my involvement in Our Sporting Life. The project allowed me to be involved in sport despite not being able to play it. That was a great gift, because sport is in my heart.
I also have a great love of museums and history. It has been a pleasure to learn of the sporting heroes of Greater Manchester, and about the influence that sport has had on the local area in years gone by. Trust me, you will be amazed at the talent with which Greater Manchester is bestowed!
It's fulfilling to know that I have contributed to an exhibition that will be seen by thousands of people at the Museum, and that the voice of local young people will be heard by its visitors.
It has been amazing to meet so many new people and make so many new friends. Working alongside other people my age has been completely liberating as I have grown in confidence and I have developed many key skills for the future. I will always value the time I have spent working on the exhibition, and I hope that all the people who involved in Our Sporting Life feel the same way.
Please, do not be fooled by my corny sentimentality - we have all had a great laugh in the process too! There have been some serious moments of decision making throughout, but my enduring memories will be of marshmallow towers, Greggs, and hilarious 5 hour coach journeys to the Black Country.
Enjoy our blog, and please come to see our exhibition!
Oliver
No comments:
Post a Comment