Taking part in a wide range of free, fun activities ranging from dance to judo to boxing, the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games Day attracted thousands of families from across Surrey. beating last year’s attendance numbers.
Girls and boys aged 7-16 showcased new skills they’d learnt as part of the 2023 Specsavers Surrey Youth Games, which celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford on Sat 17 June.
Kicking off each Easter, the Games is an annual programme in which young people across Surrey get to learn a new activity through 6-8 weeks of free, fun, local training.
Every child is a beginner, and caring, compassionate coaches support them every step of the way to try and learn something new that they can be proud of. Activities on offer this year included judo, dance, street basketball and boxing.1
90% of children said the Surrey Youth Games made them happier and more confident.2
Getting into the Family Zone
Alongside the scheduled events, families who came along were able to visit the ‘Family Zone’ which was packed full of local clubs and providers offering free sessions, including the Chelsea Foundation. Other providers ran activities including soft archery, fencing, climbing and skateboarding, alongside emerging sports like korfball and tchoukball.
Runnymede’s teamwork shines through
This year, Runnymede won the Gerry Cesar Spirit of the Games award after being voted top by officials for their sporting behaviour and team ethos, narrowly ahead of Waverley and Reigate & Banstead in joint second.
The need for the Surrey Youth Games
Reflecting on the programme’s role in addressing inequalities for young people, Elizabeth Duggan, Managing Director for Active Surrey said:
“Surrey is often perceived as a healthy, wealthy county, yet acute inequality exists. Factoring in housing almost 1 in 5 (19%) of children in Surrey, 46,000, live in poverty.
“Less than half (49%) of Surrey’s 5-16’s year olds are meeting the NHS’s 60 minutes a day guidelines for time spent being physically active. And that figure is even higher amongst children from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
“Those most in need have significantly less access and opportunity to enjoy physical activity, which is why the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games is so important. This unique, free programme gives all children the chance to make friends while having fun, learning new skills and boosting their physical and mental wellbeing”
NOTES
1. Full range of activities at Specsavers Surrey Youth Games 2023:
- Judo
- Dance
- Street Basketball
- Boccia (a type of seated bowls for those with additional needs)
- Boxing - non contact
- Go Tri – a mini triathlon with indoor rowing, cycling & running
- Girls’ tag rugby
- Swimming - water confidence
- Tennis
2. Data from 2022 Specsavers Surrey Youth Games research