Youngsters from across the News Shopper area have been doing their boroughs proud in the annual London Youth Games.
The Year 8 sportshall athletics final at Crystal Palace was dominated by Abbey Wood’s St Pauls’ Academy of Greenwich who won gold in the boys’ and girls’ competition.
For the boys it was their second successive win in the competition.
PE teacher Jason Whyte said: “They knew the standard from last year, they wanted to beat it and exceed it which they have done.”
His PE teaching colleague Sam Stone was equally pleased with how her girls’ team rose to the occasion.
She said: “The girls trained really, really hard this year.
“We came fifth last year and I think it gave them the drive and ambition to win because the boys won last year.”
Lewisham netted gold in the inclusive zone basketball competition at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre after a 13-4 final win over Richmond.
Head coach Courtney Vam-Beest, whose teams was drawn entirely from Haberdashers Askes Knights Academy, said: “We’re lucky enough to have a lot of basketball players in the school that I train at so we meet every lunchtime on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
“We roll the wheelchairs out, put some cones out for the zones and we just get as much practice in as possible.”
They will now go on to represent London at the national championships at Worcester Arena on May 7.
Lewisham’s superior goal difference of 20-9 ensured the borough won the boccia title for the third time in four years, with Bexley sharing silver with Croydon.
Represented entirely by students from Brent Knoll, Lewisham team manager Naomi Vann was delighted with her squad.
She said: “I really can’t believe we’re here-we were very lucky to get out of the group stages at Redbridge and the team has done superbly well.
“I think for children with disabilities, and for mainstream children, the London Youth Games is the most fantastic event that is available.
“But particularly for those with disabilities because there are very few competitions they can take part in and it allows anyone to compete.”
Bromley had to settle for silver in the rugby contest after they were beaten two tries to one in the final by Haringey, with Bexley taking bronze.
The silver medallists were made of youngsters from Chislehurst Primary School.
Manager Dustin Carere said: “They played really well. They played some really lovely rugby, which I was very proud of.
“We are very proud to be a mixed school to represent Bromley and it was a fantastic day.
“I’m also proud of seeing kids playing rugby to a good level, playing proper rugby and in the right spirit. It was really nice.”
Bexley were represented by Days Lane School.
Their manager Ray Lang added: ““The majority of our students are Year 5s who will be back next year even stronger.
“It’s been an amazing experience. It can’t get better than the London Youth Games.
“They have made the borough really proud.”
Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here