Brent’s boys volleyball win gold
- 4,000 young people from across the capital took part in London Youth Games’ Finals Festival across the weekend of July 1-2
- Young Londoners from 32 London boroughs plus the City of London Corporation participated in events throughout the year to get to the finals
- Families flocked to see the competitors in 11 different sports in the same venues as the London 2012 Olympics – the first multi-sport, multi-venue youth event since the Games
Brent’s boys’ volleyball team triumphed over the rest of London’s boroughs as they claimed gold at the London Youth Games’ Finals Festival at Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Over the weekend of July 1-2, 4,000 participants competed in the London Youth Games finals of athletics, tennis, BMX, swimming, road cycling, basketball, volleyball, netball, hockey, aquathlon and table tennis in venues like the Copper Box Arena, London Aquatics Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre – just like the heroes of the 2012 Olympics.
It was at the Copper Box Arena where Brent’s young stars claimed the boys’ volleyball title, fighting off competition from Hounslow.
Great Britain’s most iconic sporting names, like Sir Mo Farah, Sir Bradley Wiggins and Christine Ohuruogu all cut their teeth at the London Youth Games and this year’s participants were inspired by competing at the very same venues, building on the Olympic legacy of the past 11 years.
With the Finals Festival being the culmination of over fifty qualifying events in more than thirty sports for young people delivered across London from early February, the weekend saw over 4,000 participants and spectators flock to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
They were cheered on by some of Great Britain’s sporting heroes including Christine Ohuruogu, England and Great Britain hockey star Tess Howard, Paralympic Commonwealth gold winner Emmanuel Coker, London Lions basketball players Shanice Beckford-Norton, Savannah Wilkinson and Bradley Kaboza, Britain’s most successful male Taekwondo athlete Lutalo Muhammad, former sprinter and bobsledder Marcus Adam and IBF European Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Thompson.
Working alongside partners Nike, Sport England, London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Greater London Authority (GLA) and Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), the London Youth Games Foundation is focused on improving the accessibility of sport to young people of all backgrounds, channelling the Olympic spirit to transform opportunities for children across the city.
Former London Youth Games participant and Olympic gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu was at the event and said: “The talent at London Youth Games is pretty impressive – I really enjoyed watching the relays. It was great seeing athletes come up with multiple medals around their necks – that tells you these guys are on a really good start!”
London Youth Games Foundation Chief Executive Andy Dalby-Welsh added: “What an incredible weekend it was – watching these young people from all different backgrounds across the capital come together and celebrate the role sport can have in our communities. We’re so proud to be able to offer young Londoners an opportunity to use these world class facilities – it’s the Olympic legacy in the purest sense.”
Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said: "We’re delighted to be supporting the London Youth Games again. Lee Valley VeloPark and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre were built for legacy so it’s fantastic to see young athletes from across London enjoying these inspiring venues.
“Just weeks ago we were hosting the world’s best hockey teams in one of hockey’s most prestigious events, this weekend we welcomed the next generation of aspiring London athletes to compete on the very same pitch. We look forward to continuing to work with the London Youth Games to provide life-changing opportunities for young athletes and keep the legacy of London 2012 alive.”
Tony Wallace, Regional Director at GLL, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in the London Youth Games, everyone taking part played a huge role in its success. It was a tremendous privilege for our venues to be integral to this remarkable occasion, where aspirations were pursued, bonds were forged, and champions emerged. It was amazing to see so many Boroughs coming together to compete and showcase the future of sport. “
Lyn Garner, CEO, LLDC said: “We were thrilled to host so many participants and spectators at the London Youth Games Finals Festival over the weekend. It’s wonderful to think that eleven years on from London 2012, the iconic venues at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park continue to inspire the next sporting generation.”
In line with London Youth Games’ core belief of sport being a key driver of social integration, spectators and participants could also enjoy the London Youth Games Foundation Festival outside the Copper Box Arena. Visitors immersed themselves in history and arts aboard a specially-designed London Youth Games bus, while visitors also enjoyed dance performances from Rambert Grades, immersive workshops for adults and young people, talks from famous athletes and could try a diverse range of sports activations from National Governing Body and community sport partners.
Ends
Note to Editors:
About London Youth Games: London Youth Games has been using the power of competitive sport to create life-changing opportunities for young Londoners for over 40 years. With a season of events taking place over nine months, including both School and Community competitions across 30 different sports, London Youth Games is Europe’s largest youth sport festival with over 125,000 young Londoners taking part every year. London Youth Games has been a springboard for many Londoners to go on and achieve their potential in life. Whether sports people such as Dina Asher Smith and Raheem Sterling or journalist and newsreader Charlene White.
London Youth Games believes:
➢ Sport is a right for all
➢ Sport improves physical and mental well-being
➢ Sport is a key driver of social integration
London Youth Games are proudly supported by Nike, Sport England, the Greater London Authority and the fantastic 33 Boroughs of London.
• For more information, visit londonyouthgames.org.
• For media enquiries and interview opportunities, please contact Yolanda Martin at yolanda@londonyouthgames.org 07506 182276.