The London Youth Games is launching its latest season of events to encourage more young people to participate in sport after new research showed that the cost of living crisis is preventing thousands of children from having a more active lifestyle.
In an Olympic year, the series of events – delivered with the support of our 33 member Boroughs and our School Games Organiser network covering 30 different sports – culminates in a Finals Festival at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in late June this year with a focus on supporting young people who face disadvantage to become healthier, happier and more confident.
Alex Yee, Olympic gold medallist in the Mixed Relay Triathlon and former London Youth Games participant, said: ”Taking part in the London Youth Games was a special memory when I was younger and made me fall in love with sport even more than I already did. It was such a memorable competition, where I made lifelong friendships, learned valuable life lessons and really built my confidence to continue in sport and see how far I could go.”
LYG hair Geoff Thompson MBE FRSA DL QP JM said “Sport is a fundamental right for all. The London Youth Games plays a hugely positive part in young Londoner’s, helping them to develop mental, physical and emotional skills for life.”
Research by Sported found that that 60% of young people surveyed had issues affording activity costs, exacerbating widening gaps in children’s activity levels.
The charity also found that 46% of young participants who took part came from the first to fifth most deprived areas of London last year.
Dina Asher-Smith, Sir Mo Farah, Raheem Sterling, David Weir and Alex Yee are some of the sporting legends who have achieved great things having previously taken part in the London Youth Games.
The 2024 season kicked off with trampolining in mid-January, and is followed by indoor athletics, boccia, indoor cricket, rugby, netball and a number of other sports suited to cater for all abilities and interests. The Trampolining event evidences the power of collaborative working with the London Borough of Camden stepping up to host the event for the first time.
A highlight of the event was Oliver Pringle achieving a bronze medal for himself and contributing to a bronze team medal for the London Borough of Croydon. Oliver showed great resilience and commitment returning to the event after experiencing a significant injury whilst competing last season.
LYG CEO, Andy Dalby-Welsh, underlined why the Games are so important for the capital’s kids: “At the London Youth Games, we passionately believe that sport should be accessible to all young Londoners, of all genders, ethnicities, beliefs, disabilities and backgrounds.
Our research shows that more than 90% of LYG participants are inspired to continue with their love of sport after their London Youth Games experience and that’s something we are incredibly proud of.
With the Olympic and Paralympic Games just around the corner, we’re excited about the opportunity to encourage more young people to take part in sport and physical activity in the months to come.”
