Winning an Olympic medal is surely on the mind of every athlete as London 2012 draws closer, but in Cornwall, it’s a silver medal won over 100 years ago that is currently taking centre stage.

Awarded to the Cornwall’s champion team which represented England in the 1908 Olympics rugby final, the silver medal, which is part of a private collection, is the subject of Hooligan’s Game a new play created to help the county’s young people connect with the Olympics and Cornwall’s sporting legacy.

Sarah Pym, theatre development manager at The Works, who commissioned the play says: “We first heard the story of the 1908 Cornish rugby team from a 15 year-old member of CYTC and we just knew it had to be brought to the stage. It’s brilliant to be able to connect Cornwall’s Olympic heritage with a younger generation and tell a tale about our county’s sporting spirit that we hope will have audiences, smiling, laughing and sharing their own stories too.”

Rehearsals are now in full swing and are attracting the attention of sports people, theatre fans and Olympics enthusiasts countywide.

Cassandra Patten, athlete and Olympic medal holder says: “It’s a great story that has to be told. Winning an Olympic medal is motivation, challenge and accolade – it’s brilliant to hear the tale of how that was handled at the turn of last century. I’ll be rather busy in July, but I’m sure my family will be heading along to see it!”

Working with established writer Emma Spurgin Hussey and director Rory Wilton, The young people involved are putting in the hours to make Hooligan’s Game the most entertaining, engaging and uplifting show of the summer, in true Olympic spirit.

Commissioned as part of the Cultural Olympiad, and one of the only Olympiad events taking part in the Southwest in July, Hooligan’s Game has been made possible by the Regional Educational Legacy in Arts and Youth Sport (RELAYS) – which seeks to inspire a generation of young people through South West England in the build up to the London 2012.

Hooligans’ Game will run from 10^th – 13^th July, at Sterts Theatre, Upton Cross, near Liskeard. Tickets can be bought now from www.sterts.co.uk

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