SYG 2010 Launch

P&G SURREY YOUTH GAMES 2010 LAUNCH

Two international athletes and nearly fifty school children from across Surrey descended on the Surrey Sports Park on 22 April for the launch of the P&G Surrey Youth Games 2010.

Tamsin Greenway, current England and Surrey Storm Netballer, and Hayley Connor, former England Badminton International, both led master classes in their respective sports for pupils nominated by local schools.

The launch was attended by senior figures from the community, business and sporting associations from across the county who were treated to a tour of the magnificent new facilities offered by the multi million pound Surrey Sports Park, where the Games will take place on 19 and 20 June 2010.

Jason Harborow, Chief Executive of the Surrey Sports Park, welcomed the Games' move to the venue, saying, "I am really excited that we are hosting the P&G Surrey Youth Games in our very first year of operation. The Games will bring the centre alive, it will be buzzing with activity in all corners and I cant wait to see all the competitors revelling in the fantastic facilities that we have here".

Linda Jacks, the Games Event Manager, added, "Another major benefit of staging the Games here is that all the events can take place at the same venue at the same time. This means that competitors can easily check how teammates in other sports are doing, and this will build tension in the clamour to win the Overall Borough Trophy".

Hayley Connor, having herself been a competitor at the Games, outlined the importance of promoting sporting opportunities for young people and using the Games as a platform to get into elite sport. Hayley, who will be the Head Coach for Surrey Heath's Badminton team this year, said, "The P&G Surrey Youth Games is so important for young people who either compete in sport below county level or who are interested in getting involved with a new sport.

"It offers free coaching for participants of all abilities for 13 sports in each borough or district of Surrey. I am looking forward to introducing young people of Surrey Heath to badminton who may have never picked up a racket before whilst also looking to help develop those who may be nearing the top end of the sport and help them on the pathway to elite sport.

"This will be the case for all boroughs of Surrey. Those young people who get chosen to represent their borough on the weekend of the Games in June will have the most unbelievable experience, as they will be competing against other athletes of the county in a world class sporting facility in front of hundreds of spectators. I loved competing at the Games when I was younger and I now want others to get inspired by sport as I did".

Free coaching sessions and trials for potential competitors are taking place across Surrey. For further information on the dates and locations of these sessions keep a look out in your local press or visit your local council website.

For full details about this year's Games, please click here.

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About P&G Surrey Youth Games

Now in their 14th year, The P&G Surrey Youth Games are the largest annual youth sports festival in Surrey, and give many young people their first experience of a competitive, countywide sporting event.

There are 13 different sports, including 3 for young people with a disability. The 11 Surrey Boroughs and Districts of Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Tandridge, Waverley and Woking enter teams into the Games.

The purpose of organising the

Games is as a way of developing sport in Surrey. Via the Games, the following outcomes are achieved:

More young people take part in competitive sport, and continue to take part in sport.
More sports clubs become accredited by their National Governing Body, thereby improving the quality of sports clubs in Surrey.
More people become qualified in sports coaching and officiating
New junior sports clubs or sections are created.
The coaching and officiating skills of people in Surrey are improved.

Page last updated: 13 June 2010