Bromley celebrates sporting victory in style

23 July 2007

Over 350 young sportspeople, parents, coaches and volunteers attended an event organised by Bromley Mytime on Wednesday evening to celebrate Bromley’s fantastic victory at this year's London Youth Games. Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Carr said “This tremendous win for the borough sends out a very welcome message that Bromley’s young people are progressing well and achieving great results through sport.”

A copy of the London Youth Games Souvenir Programme can be downloaded here.

The audience was provided with an inspirational speech from British rower, Alison Mowbray, Olympic silver medalist in Athens 2004, who was happy to speak individually to Bromley’s aspiring young athletes about how she achieved her Olympic dream. Andrew Gray, aged 12 from Beckenham who won an individual gold in the diving event, was presented with an outstanding achievement award, and received a scholarship grant from Bromley Mytime to help him fulfill his obvious potential in diving. “This is a real surprise and I’m so happy, the grant will help pay for my training and subscription fees” said Andrew, who has his future clearly focused on sporting success and was completely enthralled with the Olympic medal Alison had round her neck, see picture.

Congratulations to all those involved in such a fantastic result. It’s great to see Bromley’s youngsters showing what can be achieved through commitment and hard work. You have made me very proud and I hope you continue to enjoy success in sport in the future.” The Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe

At the celebration evening hosted by the Mayor of Bromley Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe, Bromley Mytime awarded Blackheath and Bromley Harriers Athletics Club with £1000 in support of young athletes representing Great Britain at this years European Junior Club Championships. National athlete Emily Godley aged 17, who shared fitness tips with Olympian Alison Mowbray, is part of the squad going to the Czech Republic in September. England U20 polevaulter Emily, also receives free gym and swim access through Mytime’s Sports Academy Gold card.

Bromley certainly have a wealth of swimming talent, and at the disability swimming gala Bromley girls took home bronze and the boys came 5th with some great individual results. After five weeks of specialist coaching, competitors found a new self belief and gained vital points to secure Bromley’s overall win.

“This result is a triumph for all the partnership work we do with schools and clubs, it shows
the strength in depth we have across so many sports and what can be achieved when we all work so well together.” Dennis Barkway CBE, Chairman Bromley Mytime

Every year 25,000 young people from the 33 London Boroughs compete in over 35 different sports competitions, the results are added together to find LONDON’S BEST SPORTING BOROUGH - this year it was BROMLEY whose competitors performed to an extremely high standard and are a credit to the ethos of the Games.

• London Youth Games was inaugurated in 1977 as part of The Queen’s Silver Jubilee 
• In the thirty year history of the Games, Bromley have won four 4 times - 1986, 1988, 1991 and 2007
  
• Out of 33 London Boroughs Bromley have always been in the top six