● England’s Beach Volleyball twins, the Bello Brothers, lead the Complete and Eat. Campaign
Gareth Bale, and Britain’s No.1 Beach Volleyball Team, Javier and Joaquin Bello, who are currently competing in the Welsh Grand Slam ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2022, want to encourage sport teams up and down the country to enjoy spending time together over food following their matches.
Javier says, “Sport teams are like big families, so we thought Compete and Eat would be a great way of getting people together. Uniting competing teams after a tournament, along with fans, volunteers and coaches, it’s a nice way to thank everyone for their support over the last year.”
Joaquin continues, “This jubilee weekend is going to be a massive party and Sunday’s Thank You Day will bring millions of people together. We have a lot of people to thank, the support we have had to get us ready for the Commonwealth Games is immense, so we just want everyone to be a part of something special”
The Bello brothers, aged 21, have been making history from an early age. Javier and Joaquin won a gold medal for Team England at the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games. The twins were born in Madrid, Spain, but count London as their home and have played volleyball since the age of six.
In support of Thank You Day – which takes place at the end of the weekend celebrations on Sunday 5 June – Britain’s leading sports institutions are announcing plans to help communities ‘compete and eat’ together, by throwing open their doors and bringing people together, as Gareth Bale plans a free sports festival in Glamorgan.
Local children have been invited to attend Bale’s Sport Festival today (Wednesday 1st June) at The Vale. They will be able to take part in activities such as basketball, volleyball, table tennis, golf and rugby, sports that they normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to try and then enjoy a free lunch thanks to Deliveroo.
Gareth Bale said, “I’ve a lot to be thankful for, football has allowed me to enjoy some incredible experiences, and play for my country. I wanted to provide young people with the opportunity to connect with sport, and hopefully develop a sporting habit for life.
“I want young people to see the benefits that sport can offer. So Wednesday 1st June will see hundreds of young people try things they may not have done before and play with kids from different schools”
“Playing sport together isn’t just great exercise, it’s a brilliant way to get to know one another. That’s why Thank You Day’s ‘compete and eat’ initiative is so important - and why it’s so great that so many clubs and venues are throwing open their doors and taking part.
“It doesn’t matter what you do - whether it’s tennis or team games, in the pool or on the track - what matters is that we all take the opportunity to come together and have a good time. It’s a bit of competition to get the blood flowing, some great food to, and a really good chance to say Thank You to the people that make a huge difference in all our lives."
And across the country:
· The LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) are encouraging all their clubs to open their courts to their local community and bring non players and players of all ages together.
· The ECB is asking its clubs to take part in ‘compete and eat’ and for rival teams to share a big lunch together during their games. In addition the England men’s team have signed up to the campaign, and will be sharing their thanks to volunteers via video messages during the forthcoming test match.
· ukactive is urging its members and partners across the UK’s fitness and leisure sector to encourage their local communities to visit their facilities in celebration on the day
Tim Hollinsgworh, CEO Sport England said,
“This year is a really exciting one for sport across the nation and Thank You Day offers us all the opportunity to acknowledge all the volunteers, coaches, backroom staff, teammates, friends and family who have supported us and helped make it happen.
“Sport England is delighted to be part of this national movement and would like to encourage all sport fans to celebrate together and take the change to say “Thank You” on Sunday 5th June.”
Mike Sharrock, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association, said:
“As we witnessed during the record-breaking ParalympicsGB performances at Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022, Paralympic sport has a unique power to unite and inspire the nation and break down barriers for disabled people.
“We are incredibly proud to support the national Thank You Day as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, marking an opportunity for people to join with neighbours, communities and families to feel the joy of participating in sport in a celebration of all the things that bring us together.”
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive said:
“We are thrilled to support Thank You Day by raising awareness across the fitness and leisure sector. The day provides a great opportunity for our members and partners to celebrate not only The Queen’s Jubilee but also the incredible staff, members and visitors that make our nation’s gyms, pools and leisure centres such an essential part of our communities. At ukactive we will be saying ‘Thank you’ to our sector on 5th June for all the great work they do all year round to support the UK’s health and happiness.”
Ollie Pope, England men’s cricketer said:
“We are delighted to be supporting Thank You Day for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Cricket brings people together and the day will provide us with the opportunity to officially thank and recognise volunteers at every level of the game for their invaluable contribution to the sport. Without them we simply wouldn’t have a game.”
Lisa Wainwright MBE CEO Sport and Recreation said:
“The Sport and Recreation Alliance is delighted to be supporting Thank You Day again this year, as we celebrate the work of everyone in our sector during what has been a challenging period over the past couple of years.
“Nationally and locally, there are so many people to thank for keeping grassroots sport and recreation going and finding new ways to reach people, at a time when we needed it more than ever.
“We’ll be raising a glass to all of them, and of course it’s also a great opportunity to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years of service – hopefully everyone is able to get out and enjoy themselves!”