P&G Surrey Youth Games 2010

SPORTING SUPERSTARS EXCEL AT P&G SURREY YOUTH GAMES

Young athletes from across Woking Borough proved themselves to be sporting superstars last weekend (19 and 20 June), when they competed in the Surrey Youth Games, walking away with a clutch of medals and some great team performances to come third overall.

Eleven Surrey boroughs and over 2,000 children took part in the county wide sporting spectacle, which took place at the fantastic new facilities of the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. Approximately 200 children, aged 7 to 15 years, represented Woking in eleven different sports including badminton, basketball, boccia, football, golf, hockey, judo, netball, squash, swimming and tennis.

For many of the competitors, this was their first experience of competition on such a grand scale, but they rose to the challenge to scoop five gold, one silver and four bronze medals for Woking, finishing in third place overall.

• GOLD Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Junior Boys Judo, Mixed Senior Squash and Mixed Swimming.
• SILVER Senior Girls Judo.
• BRONZE Mixed Golf, Junior Girls Football, Junior Mixed Hockey, Senior Boys Judo.

Both basketball teams did exceptionally well, winning gold in the girls and boys events. It is hoped that these players will go on to join Woking Blackhawks Basketball Club and further their sporting talents. The senior squash team also improved upon last years bronze medal and were commended by the sports organisers for their fair play. The judo teams also had very strong finishes thanks to the excellent coaching they receive from Pyrford Judo Club.

All of the Woking competitors, across all eleven sports, had spent weeks training for free with qualified and experienced coaches at some fantastic facilities, in order to learn the skills and tactics needed to compete.

Jill Dixon, Woking Borough CouncilsSports Development Officer, said: I would like to congratulate Team Woking on their superb third place at the P&G Surrey Youth Games. For many young people, this is their first taste of competition and I hope that they are all proud of their achievement, and will continue to enjoy sport and go on to join one of our many local clubs in their chosen sport.

Special thanks must go to staff and coaches who gave up their time in the build up to and during, the competition, helping to make the Games such a success.

The Woking team is very grateful to their sponsors, Mansell, Kall Kwik and Go For It Teamwear for their support in preparing the young performers for the Games. Thanks to their kind sponsorship, Woking Borough Council was able to offer young people a free ten- week training programme and the opportunity to try a new sport.

For more information about joining a team for next year or to find a local sports club, please contact Jill Dixon, Woking Borough Councils Sports Development Officer, on 01483 743804 or email jill.dixon@woking.gov.uk