Bromley's Golden Youth

2 July 2007

Bromley’s youth sports teams won the London Youth Games yesterday at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. The result came at the end of a long weekend featuring thousands of competitors in what is billed as the biggest youth sports event in Europe. Despite many second and third places out of London’s 33 competing Boroughs, Bromley hadn’t won the annual event for 16 years. This represents a fantastic achievement for Bromley’s young sportsmen and women.

The picture shows the Mayor, Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe with the girls’ netball team.

Over a blustery and damp weekend Bromley’s teams consistently scored well in the marathon 30 sports tournament. Posting strong firsts in boys hockey, trampolining, boys’ judo and girls’ cricket, Bromley were always in contention. Olympic swim prospect Ellie Gandy stormed through her 50m freestyle to anchor gold in girls’ swimming. 12 years old Andrew Gray, competing against seniors three years older, won his event confirming his Olympic hopes in 2012. Girls’ hockey just missed gold in a thrilling penalty shoot out, and girls’ karate also finished in a strong second spot. Trampolinists from the Beckenham Flyers bounced their way to first, their highest place for years. Other high places were achieved in boys’ squash, disability swimming and athletics, girls’ judo and squash, and tennis. When the final results were announced Bromley hearts skipped a beat as third and second placed were announced first, with Bromley finally emerging triumphant 6 points clear from Havering.

Ellie Gandy said,” I learnt to swim at the age of three, and Crystal Palace is where it all began. To go back each year to represent Bromley is a real honour, and now have my sights set on 2012.”

Steve Price, Bromley Mytime Chief Executive said, “This is a great result and tribute to our young teams and all the team managers and supporters who make this event possible. Bromley’s young people are an inspiration to all of us, and many of them will go on to achieve even greater success in their sporting careers. This is a genuine partnership between ourselves, local schools, the volunteers and the Council to make these opportunities happen.”

The Mayor of Bromley, who attended the event, will host a celebratory reception for teams and supporters on Wednesday 18 July.