5 London boroughs announced as trophy winners for London Youth Games’ 2023 season
Today, 5 London boroughs were announced as trophy winners for London Youth Games’ 2023 season.
The conclusion of the season enabled the London Youth Games to announce the winners of the Jubilee Trophy which for the second season running is the London Borough of Haringey. Also, doing the double was the London Borough of Hackney who retained the ParaGames trophy for a second year.
The 2023 trophy winners:
Jubilee Trophy – Haringey
ParaGames Trophy – Hackney
Inner London Borough Trophy – Wandsworth
Most Improved Trophy – Merton
Regatta Trophy – Tower Hamlets
Young Londoners benefitted from the London 2012 legacy in the hugely successful London Youth Games season, as well as the inaugeral Finals Festival at the world-class Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The 2023 London Youth Games Finals Festival and the Great Get Together saw a diverse and inclusive reflection of young people and communities of the 33 Boroughs of London enjoy an amazing weekend of sport, culture and art in an atmosphere and spirit not seen since the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Thousands of young Londoners followed in the footsteps of Great Britain’s most iconic sporting names by competing in the London Youth Games’ Finals Festival at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.
Cllr Emily Arkell, Haringey’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Leisure, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to see Team Haringey triumph at the London Youth Games for the second year running. The number and variety of different events in which our young people excelled is testament to our outstanding sports education and inclusive approach here in Haringey. On behalf of everyone at the council, I’d like to congratulate all our wonderful young athletes, coaches, schools and everyone who helped make this amazing success happen.”
LYG Chair Prof. Geoff Thompson MBE FRSA DL QP JM said “The mental, physical and emotional health and well-being benefits were evident as the teams went through the final rounds, culminating in the Jubilee trophy, which is presented to the winning borough as a reflection of a year-round exposure of sport for development and peace. 2024 will see an Olympic and Paralympic year provide the Youth Games Finals Festival with a further opportunity for families, friends, coaches, officials, volunteers and organisations to work together and be part of something special in the lives of young people and communities.”
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.”
With the Finals Festival being the culmination of over fifty qualifying events in more than thirty sports for young people delivered across London from November, the weekend saw over 4,000 participants and spectators flock to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
LYG CEO Andy Dalby-Welsh said “It was a fantastic end to the season being in such prestigious London 2012 legacy venues. Huge congratulations to the London borough of Haringey on retaining the Jubilee trophy and a massive well done to the London Borough of Hackney who have provided such great opportunities for their Para athletes and retained the ParaGames trophy for a second year.”
The young people participating in the weekend were cheered on by some of Great Britain’s sporting heroes including Christine Ohuruogu, England and Great Britain hockey star Tess Howard, Britain’s most successful male Taekwondo athlete Lutalo Muhammad, former Olympic sprinter and bobsledder Marcus Adam and IBF European Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Thompson, Paralympic Commonwealth gold winner Emmanuel Coker, and London Lions basketball players Shanice Beckford-Norton, Savannah Wilkinson and Bradley Kaboza.
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!”
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.
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. 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.”
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.
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. “