Success for Wealden in Sussex Youth Games
Hundreds of miles away from the World Cup excitement in Germany, over 140 budding Wealden sport stars were given the opportunity to shine in the largest youth sport event in Sussex.
They joined a thousand other youngsters at the Sussex Youth Games in Eastbourne which boasted the largest array of sporting activities since the event started in 2000.
There was promising news for Wealden’s hopes in the 2012 athletics with the Wealden Year 5 and 6 Athletics team coming first, and the Year 7 and 8 team second, in the Athletics event. Some 14 Wealden teams with many parents and spectators lending support.
Other successes include the Wealden MLD Football team (MLD = moderate learning difficulties) achieving second place in the soccer event, and there was another second for the district’s Judo team. The Netball team took third place and the Years 7 and 8 mixed hockey team was awarded the spirit of the games award for being the friendliest and most determined side of the competition.
“I‘d like to congratulate all those Wealden youngster who took part,” said Councillor Mrs Margaret Kirkpatrick, Cabinet member for Community Development. “The real ethos of the games is about participation and encouraging new people to become involved in sport. With London 2012 already on the horizon, it is good to see so many talented youngsters wanting to get involved in sport now.”
The complete Wealden side consisted of: Athletics - Years 5&6 and Years 7&8, Boys basketball, Mixed Hockey - Years 5&6 and Years 7&8, Girls football - Years 7&8 and Years 5&6, MLD football, Netball - Years 7&8, Dance, Table Tennis, Tennis and Judo.
The Wealden team was sponsored by Freedom Leisure, the leading leisure provider in Sussex. The event began with an opening ceremony led by Southern FM and a mass warm up for participants, volunteers, coaches and spectators.
