Local youngsters compete against other boroughs in 24 different events
This year has been a memorable one for Wimbledon youngsters in the Balfour Beatty London Youth Games.
Pitched against 32 other boroughs, Merton had more than 150 children taking part in 24 different events between November and July.
Phoebe Walder, aged 16, who attends Wimbledon High School, competed in the senior slalom kayaking event and won a silver medal and was less than a second away from getting gold.
Out of the team sport categories, the hockey team (right) coached at the Wimbledon Club, won bronze, and 13-year-olds playing at the Old Rutlishians Cricket Club were finalists in the qualifying rounds which took them to Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Also among those on the podium was 16-year-old Samuel Petgrave, who attends Harris Academy Merton, for winning a gold medal in the under 75kg category in Judo. He is currently in the England Judo Squad, representing England both nationally and abroad and has been a previous winner of the British Judo Championships.
Team sports are coached on a voluntary basis through local sports clubs in Merton.
Merton Council’s leisure team is always on the lookout for new team managers and clubs to enter into the London Youth Games and represent the borough. Anyone interested in getting involved in local sport should email leisure@merton.gov.uk.
July 28, 2016