WEST Devon is well and truly on the London Olympics 2012 map — it was announced this week that Tavistock will be the final training base for the Games for athletes from Swaziland.

The athletes from the South East African country will be using the new track at Crowndale to prepare for the Game which take place in the capital between July 27 to August 12.

Two athletes, along with their coach, a masseur and the secretary of the Swaziland National Olympic Committee will be staying at Kelly College from July 8 and July 24.

They will also have access to the advanced sport science facilities at University College Plymouth Marjon.

The camp is one of 200 such Olympic training quarters available for international teams in this country.

The connection arose following links forged by Tavistock Rugby Club after an article by deputy editor Jane Honey appeared in the Times, highlighting the work of Michael Collinson who founded the SKRUM charity (Swaziland Kids Rugby Mission).?It aims to give the children of Swaziland education in sex awareness, while introducing them to the sport of rugby.

Fifteen months ago a committee of volunteers led by Dr James Allenby formed the West Devon Pre-Games Training Camp Working Group to attract an overseas country to come and train here.

The group was supported by Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, Okehampton and Tavistock Town Councils, Tavistock College, Okehampton College and Kelly College and sporting groups in the West Devon area.

Dr Allenby said: 'This is another feather in West Devon's cap as the Olympic Torch passes through Okehampton on Monday, June 22 and Swaziland's visit will be a further opportunity for residents of the borough to be involved in the preparations for the Games.

Dr Allenby added that the Swaziland athletes will also be joined on occasions at the Tavistock track by members of the Ghanian team, who will be based in Plymouth, so it will be a great opportunity for many to see these top athletes train at the highest standard.

'This is a huge scoop for West Devon and a great opportunity for the town on many levels, not just in sports but also in the arts, music and commerce.'

Helen Salmon, the principal of Tavistock College told the Times: 'We are delighted with the Swaziland athletes coming to Tavistock and using the excellent track and athletic facilities.

'This is a major coup for the community, their presence will give great encouragement, particularly to the young people who take part in sport and who will be able to watch them training.

'I hope this will inspire not only young people but the whole of the local sporting community. This is great news for Tavistock and West Devon.'

Dr Graham Hawley, headmaster at Kelly College, said he was delighted.?He praised the dedicated work of the WDPGTC for securing the Swaziland Olympic team's pre-training venue.

He said: 'It is a great endorsement for the excellent facilities that Tavistock and West Devon have to offer.

'Kelly has produced many successful Olympians and we are particularly pleased to be associated with the Games in this way; providing support and accommodation to athletes preparing for this most prestigious event.

'I know that our pupils will greatly enjoy this opportunity to explore and familiarise themselves with the Swazi culture and we look forward to providing the athletes with a very warm welcome to their short-term home at Finn Lodge, on the Kelly campus in July.'

The WDPGTC working group would be delighted to hear from any individuals or organisations who would like to become involved in supporting the Swaziland Olympic athletes during their stay.

For details contact Alan Roberton, West Devon Pre-Games Training Camp workshop, email alan.roberton.t21@btinternet. com

WEST Devon will be well and truly on the London Olympics 2012 map — it was announced this week that athletes from Swaziland will be based at Tavistock as their final training base for the Games.

The athletes from the South East African country will be using the new track at Crowndale to prepare for the Games which take place in the capital between July 27 to August 12.

Two athletes, along with their coach, a masseur and the secretary of the Swaziland National Olympic Committee will be staying at Kelly College from July 8 and July 24.

They will also have access to the advanced sport science facilities at University College Plymouth Marjon.

The camp is one of 200 such Olympic training quarters available for international teams in this country.

The connection arose following links forged by Tavistock Rugby Club after an article by deputy editor Jane Honey appeared in the Times, highlighting the work of Michael Collinson who founded the SKRUM charity (Swaziland Kids Rugby Mission).?It aims to give the children of Swaziland education in sex awareness, while introducing them to the sport of rugby.

Fifteen months ago a committee of volunteers led by Dr James Allenby formed the West Devon Pre-Games Training Camp Working Group to attract an overseas country to come and train here.

The group was supported by Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, Okehampton and Tavistock Town Councils, Tavistock College, Okehampton College and Kelly College and sporting groups in the West Devon area.

Dr Allenby said: 'This is another feather in West Devon's cap as the Olympic Torch passes through Okehampton on Monday, June 22 and Swaziland's visit will be a further opportunity for residents of the borough to be involved in the preparations for the Games.

Dr Allenby added that the Swaziland athletes will also be joined on occasions at the Tavistock track by members of the Ghanian team, who will be based in Plymouth, so it will be a great opportunity for many to see these top athletes train at the highest standard.

'This is a huge scoop for West Devon and a great opportunity for the town on many levels, not just in sports but also in the arts, music and commerce.'

Helen Salmon, the principal of Tavistock College told the Times: 'We are delighted with the Swaziland athletes coming to Tavistock and using the excellent track and athletic facilities.

'This is a major coup for the community, their presence will give great encouragement, particularly to the young people who take part in sport and who will be able to watch them training.

'I hope this will inspire not only young people but the whole of the local sporting community. This is great news for Tavistock and West Devon.'

Dr Graham Hawley, headmaster at Kelly College, said he was delighted.?He praised the dedicated work of the WDPGTC for securing the Swaziland Olympic team's pre-training venue.

He said: 'It is a great endorsement for the excellent facilities that Tavistock and West Devon have to offer.

'Kelly has produced many successful Olympians and we are particularly pleased to be associated with the Games in this way; providing support and accommodation to athletes preparing for this most prestigious event.

'I know that our pupils will greatly enjoy this opportunity to explore and familiarise themselves with the Swazi culture and we look forward to providing the athletes with a very warm welcome to their short-term home at Finn Lodge, on the Kelly campus in July.'

The WDPGTC working group would be delighted to hear from any individuals or organisations who would like to become involved in supporting the Swaziland Olympic athletes during their stay.

For details contact Alan Roberton, West Devon Pre-Games Training Camp workshop, email alan.roberton.t21@btinternet. com