Bexley achieves seventh place at the London Youth Games
4 July 2012
Bexley's young athletes have once again achieved a final top ten placing, achieving seventh place out of 33 at this year's Balfour Beatty London Youth Games.
The borough's competitors produced some outstanding results with 12 of Bexley's teams finishing in the top five of different sporting events.
Outstanding results were achieved in the male disability swimming and female hockey team who finished in a remarkable second place. Bexley is traditionally known for having strong and successful weightlifters and once again they did not disappoint with the team taking second place. Both the indoor rowing and female volleyball teams finished in an outstanding well-deserved third.
The final weekend marked the end of six months' hard work for Bexley's Sport and Leisure Team. The competition stretched over 26 strength-sapping days , resulting in the finals held at Crystal Palace from 28 June to 1 July. Of the 50 events being contested, Bexley entered 45.
This year it is estimated that a staggering 700 Bexley youngsters have been involved with the Games at one level or another - whether at inter-school events, borough trials, squad training sessions or at the final competitions themselves. In the London Youth Games overall, more than 70,000 people took part in 2012, making it the largest annual youth sports event in Europe.
The standard of teams varies somewhat depending on the sport. While teams selected from established local sports clubs tend to be more competitive, the Borough is keen to enter teams where there is less local development, a move that mirrors this year's Olympics' aim to inspire young people to play sport.
Cllr Don Massey, Bexley's Cabinet Member for Leisure said: "There is no doubt that Bexley's teams have done us proud representing the borough, especially this year with the Olympic Games being the highlight of the summer. With sport being so significant, it's great to see that we have some potential Olympic hopefuls for the future here in Bexley."
