Fair Play to Surrey Heath youngsters

Released on 21 June 2012

As the countdown to London 2012 continues, over 200 young athletes from across Surrey Heath came together for the P&G Surrey Youth Games last weekend, competing at the world-class Surrey Sports Park against the county's 10 other boroughs.

The Surrey Heath squad comprised 23 teams in 13 different sports, many of which will be seen at this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The borough's squad bought into the spirit of the youth games which culminated in them winning this year's Fair Play Award and a £250 prize from Surrey County Playing Fields Association to purchase new sports equipment. Overall Surrey Heath finished in third place, an improvement of two places on 2011. Highlights were the Boys Basketball and Boccia teams who both picked up gold medals whilst the Judo, Badminton, Swimming and Tennis teams all gained silver. Dignitaries from the borough, which included Mayor of Surrey Heath Cllr Bruce Mansell, were blown away by the brilliant attitude and skill of all the competitors.

Arts and Leisure Portfolio Holder, Craig Fennell said: "The P&G Surrey Youth Games is a great chance for young people in Surrey Heath to be inspired by new sports and over 125 hours of free quality coaching made available by our local clubs. This fantastic weekend of sport, friendship and fun sets them up for a lifetime of playing sport and who knows, they may even be the Olympians or Paralympians of the future!"

The games are organised by Active Surrey, in association with each borough and district council in Surrey and a range of sport's governing bodies.

One of the main aims is to encourage young people to develop their sporting skills and promote physical activity as well as encourage fair play in sport. Over 350 local young people have attended local coaching sessions over the past two months in preparation and for many of the players selected it is their first experience of countywide competition.

A huge debt of gratitude should go to the volunteers involved in organising the teams and Publicity Plus for once again kindly sponsoring the Surrey Heath squad.

Photo (right) shows the Surrey Heath Girls Hockey team who came joint first in the group.