Release Date: 09/07/2008
Young athletes in the borough secured their best result in five years at the 2008 Balfour Beatty London Youth Games finals.
The finals kicked off with more than 80 primary school students competing in seven sports.
Team Richmond came in first place in the tag rugby, second in the hockey and third in netball. They also performed well in swimming, indoor athletics, football and basketball.
At the larger event, more than 120 secondary school students seized 20 top ten finishes, including first place in the girls’ tag rugby and the canoe sprints, and second place for the girls’ disability football team. They also took third place in the boys’ cricket and girls’ hockey, and fourth place for the boys’ hockey.
Individual successes weren’t forgotten, with gold, silver and bronze medals received by many pupils in swimming, judo and karate.
The teams, which are led by Richmond Council’s Sports Development Team, came in 12th place overall - seven places up on their 2007 result.
The Youth Games feature 27 sports and 47 scoring events, with more than 20,000 participants from all 33 London Boroughs. They were held at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre from 3 to 6 July.
Cllr Liz Jaeger, Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure on Richmond Council, said:
“Congratulations to the teams for their superb performances.
“Through initiatives such as the Council’s Competitive Edge, more of the borough’s young people are taking part in competitive sport every year.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners, schools and sports clubs to boost participation. It’s good for the health and fitness of our young residents and sport is proven to boost confidence, self-esteem and the ability to work as part of a team.
“The London Youth Games are testament to the skill and dedication of our young athletes.”