Back in November we ran a survey to find out who was the sporting role model of the year, as well as looking to find out what attributes make for a good role model. Well the results are in, and they make for some interesting reading!

David Beckham was named as the best sporting role model for 2009, ahead of Chris Hoy and Lewis Hamilton, while there was no real surprise in the worst role model stakes with Tiger Woods topping the list ahead of a trio of footballers; Ashley Cole, Cristiano Ronaldo and Joey Barton. Bizarrely, Beckham also appeared in the list of bad sporting role models!

Football was overwhelmingly found to be the sport that is the worst for producing good role models, although the intense media glare that footballers face, above most other athletes, certainly can’t help matters.

Athletics was picked as the sport most likely to produce good role models, although football was also highly rated in for this along with tennis.

So what do people look for in a good role model? Fair play understandably was top of the list, with almost 60% of the vote, while winning and charitable work were a distant second and third. 10% however thought that no famous sportsperson could be a good role model.

Cheating at their sport, along with bad sportsmanship, were the key characteristics of bad sporting role models, while tales of alcohol and drug abuse were also high up the list. Strangely, despite the indiscretions of Tiger Woods placing him firmly at the top of the list of bad role models, just 2% of those questioned stated that being involved in a kiss and tell made a sports personality a bad role model.

2009’s best sporting role models:

1. David Beckham
2. Chris Hoy
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. Roger Federer
5. Jenson Button
6. Ellen MacArthur
7. Paula Radcliffe
8. Usain Bolt
9. Lance Armstrong
10. Tim Henman

2009’s worst sporting role models:

1. Tiger Woods
2. Ashley Cole
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
4. Joey Barton
5. Dwain Chambers
6. Marlon King
7. David Beckham
8. Ronnie O’Sullivan
9. Freddie Flintoff
10. Serena Williams

And if you’re wondering why we were undertaking this research, the new Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure, which launches in September, includes a module on teaching young people how to be good sporting role models – fair play and good sportsmanship seem to be order of the day there.

Spot anyone missing from either list? What key attributes do you look for in a sporting role model? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

For the past four years we have invited applications from across our sector for funding, courtesy of SkillsActive and the Nancy Ovens Trust, to allow individuals to undertake a personal development project to enhance skills and knowledge outside of the day-to-day work environment.

Rachel Light helping young athletes

This has encouraged development in ways quite removed from traditional training, with work experience and shadowing of top coaches in a certain field proving a popular way to glean the personal insight that perhaps doesn’t exist when undertaking a training qualification.

This year, out of over 50 applicants, we are delighted to have chosen five bursars who will be blogging for us over the course of their time on the bursary. They’ll be introducing themselves here over the coming month, but here is a quick introduction to two of them.

Rachel Light
Dorset swimming coach Rachel Light plans to spend two weeks in Australia this summer to discover the secrets of the nation’s sporting success so that she can assist top young athletes in this country.

Rachel has focussed her work on, and is particularly passionate about, those just outside of the elite sporting programmes. It is difficult for those just outside the top programmes to continue at a high level, so Rachel assists by providing them with guidance ranging from nutrition to strength and conditioning that they would otherwise receive from their NGB.

Judo coach Mike Newton

Read more about Rachel’s bursary here and check back over the coming months to see how her plans for the trip progress. You can also listen to Rachel discussing her trip, and read more, over on the BBC Dorset website.

Mike Newton
Rutland judo coach Mike Newton plans to spend a month next spring in Japan, the home of judo, in order to shadow top children’s judo coaches. Having helped establish Vale Judo Club in 2003, Mike has since established the club as one of the leading clubs in the region with members in national squads, as well as developing a strong schools judo programme.

You can read more about Mike’s dedication to the sport and youngsters, along with his planned trip to Japan here, while you’ll find him blogging here soon.

Hello everyone,

Its been just over two weeks since our arrival in Beijing and there are a few words to describe what I’ve seen so far immense, extraordinary, incredible, impressive and large.

I know it sounds like I am saying it just for the sake of saying it but Beijing is constantly, even in the two weeks I have been here.

For example I arrived at my working venue the Workers Stadium where I will cover Olympic football and in the first week there was still construction work being carried out. A week later and the 64,000 capacity venue looks completely different esecially the interior where our offices are.

Although there is still time before the games start it is amazing to see how a major capital city is still with only 21 days before the Olympics start putting the final touches into its venues. Hopefully this won’t happen in 2012.

However I have also visited the “Birdsnest” a 90,000 capacity venue and the watercube and these works of architectural art will live with Beijing for a very long time.

Also the Beijing Olympic Organising Commitee for the Games (BOCOG) arranged a few volunteer training days for us before our shifts actually start at our respective venues. These sessions were organised for all international volunteers which was in total 280 students consisting of Americans, Australians and our 24 Brits.

The one thing that is standing out in my mind since I have been here and have witnessed Beijing before the games is the international significance the Olympics brings to a country and the effort a host nation has to put in not only in hosting the games themselves but construction, redevelopment, environmental plans and a plan for the future after the games have finished.

Also with respect to us volunteers BOCOG have treated us very well taking us on tours to the Summer Palace, Ming Tombs and most importantly the Great Wall. I have to admit I have never seen such panoramic views and if anyone gets the opportunity China is well worth the trip.

One final wonder that everyone should see and taste if they do make the trip to this side of the globe is the famous Beijing Duck. I have been here, as I’ve said just over two weeks and have had the pleasure of it on four seperate occassions with constantly improving chopstick skillsand each time it keeps on getting better.

Anyway Its off to work in the morning and my first full day of work I will keep you posted and will upload photos of the Great Wall, Beijing duck and another sneaky slice of poultry I tried. Wild Pigeon!

See you soon