Bromley teams celebrate success!

14 October 2008

Bromley youth sports teams celebrated their success in winning the Balfour Beatty London Youth Games for the second year running at a reception last Friday in Bromley’s Civic Centre.

In July, Bromley won the Balfour Beatty London Youth Games for the second year running with 1039 points beating 2nd place Lewisham by 13 points and 3rd place Redbridge by 16 points. More than 800 young people took part in the Games entering more than 30 sports which included 90 disabled participants (10 more than 2007). 

At the reception, celebrity guest Lesley Owusu, the international 400 metre runner who has represented Great Britain added her congratulations and gave an inspiring message of striving to be the best you can be. She described how her brother had placed her in a run-off against the fastest girl at her school and when she won easily she realised she had talent and joined an athletics club.

Highlight of the reception was an interview with Steffi King, who brought the torch she carried at the opening of the Paralympic Games in Beijing, and thanked Bromley for nominating her for this trip of a lifetime as the Games’ outstanding athlete - she won three gold medals in the swimming gala.

Bromley’s Executive Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ernest Noad said, “It’s good to see our young people making the news for all the right reasons. As London is a world class city, it’s logical to suggest that Bromley’s young people are among the very best in the world and we’re all very proud of their achievements.”

The Mayor’s Commissioner for Sport, Kate Hoey said, “This is a tremendous team performance worthy of celebration by everyone in the Borough. Your success is based on a consistent level of excellence across a wide range of sports, both team and individual, able-bodied and disabled. It is a testament to the strength and depth of local sport in schools and community sports clubs and also to the dedication of teachers, coaches and administrators as well as, most importantly, the hard work of the young people … I look forward to seeing Bromley return next year to defend your 'title”.

Patron of Bromley Mytime Paul Elliott said, “It’s a privilege to witness the sheer talent that exists in Bromley, and what can be achieved with good organisation from schools and clubs, combined with the all important support from families and coaches. Well done to everyone involved.”
 

The picture shows the Mayor of Bromley Councillor Denise Reddin (left) with Lesley Owusu (centre) and Paul Elliott Patron of Bromley Mytime (right) and girls rugby team which came fifth at the Youth Games