Date: 

Tuesday, 20 June, 2017

This year’s Specsavers Surrey Youth Games was the hottest on record - and Team Surrey Heath didn’t disappoint with some blistering action on show.

Surrey Heath were proud to enter 24 teams across 14 sports, competing against Surrey’s 10 other boroughs and districts - for many of the 150 young people taking part this was their first experience of playing sport at a competitive level outside of school.

Alongside some great medal-winning performances, Team Surrey Heath were also awarded the Fair Play Trophy by organisers Active Surrey, nominated by fellow competitors.

On a sweltering weekend at Surrey Sports Park, the junior badminton team delivered Surrey Heath’s first medal of 2017, bringing home bronze from a highly competitive tournament. This set the tone and galvanised both the junior and senior Boccia teams into action.

Oliver Hastings and Nathan Clark of Frimley Church of England Junior School had never played pan-disability sport Boccia before attending our free coaching sessions in the run up to the Games. After just six weeks of training, they combined to deliver a silver medal in the junior competition, narrowly missing out on gold on a tie-break.

In the senior event, Kate Seal of Kings International College completed her medal collection in her last appearance at the games. After winning bronze and silver in the previous two years, Kate partnered a player from Reigate & Banstead to take the gold after a thrilling tie-breaker in the final.

On Sunday the TouchTennis team secured their third bronze in three years, and Surrey Heath’s joint junior rugby team (with Woking) picked up a superb silver. Other notable performances including 4th places for junior girls Judo, non-contact boxing and swimming all contributed towards Team Surrey Heath’s finish of 7th overall.

The Surrey Youth Games aim to encourage young people to develop their sporting skills, promote physical activity and encourage fair play in sport. More than 300 local young people enjoyed free coaching in the borough during the past two months in preparation, and it is hoped that many will make the step and join a local club.

Participation in the games is only possible thanks to the work of volunteers and parents from clubs such as Lightwater Junior Badminton Club, Swifts Junior Badminton Club, Streets Heath Breakaways, Turners Boxing Academy, Camberley Cricket Club, Camberley Town Youth Football Club, Camberley & Farnborough Hockey Club, Camberley Judo Club, Surrey Heath Netball Club, Camberley Rugby Club, Chobham Rugby Club, Prime Tennis, and sponsors such as Places for People and Publicity Plus who backed the Surrey Heath squad.

All those who took part over the weekend will be invited to receive a commemorative medal at the Surrey Heath Sports Awards in October.

The awards recognise sportspeople, teams, clubs, coaches and volunteers for their achievements over the year. Nominations can be made at www.surreyheath.gov.uk/sportsawards.