Southwark shines at London Youth Games 2017

26 July 2017

Southwark’s young sports teams outdid themselves once again at the annual London Youth Games. Up one place from last year at 11th of the 33 London boroughs, they brought home two first place titles.

Team Southwark took part in 26 sports across the event, winning first place in the male parafootball and BMX cycling. The young talent echoed that of England and Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand who, like them, competed for Southwark at the Games, though his specialism was gymnastics at the time.

The London Youth Games is Europe's largest youth sports festival.  It is a season of events that runs for nine months and includes both school and community competitions across 30 different sports.

Southwark’s young people created a multitude of competitive opportunities which resulted in second place in road cycling and male hockey and third place in mens basketball and football. They won a further eight gold, eight silver and five bronze individual medals in sports ranging from weightlifting and diving to para swimming and athletics.

Southwark Council and the Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Charlie Smith, held a celebration event at Tooley Street on Thursday 13 July, where they thanked the volunteers, team managers and over 80 young people and their families, who also attended on behalf of Team Southwark.

Cllr Barrie Hargrove, Southwark Council Cabinet Member for public health, parks and leisure, said: “There is so much young sporting talent across Southwark and we are lucky to have a wealth of great coaches and volunteers as well. I hope their tremendous achievements at the London Youth Games will inspire others to come and give a new sport a go too.”

Page last updated: 26 July 2017