Young people in Haringey have made history in 2022, winning the London Youth Games Jubilee Trophy today for the first time ever, in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, and the 45^th anniversary of the Games.

The Jubilee Trophy is the most coveted trophy in London Youth Games, which was established in 1977 in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year, and which is awarded to the London borough with the highest overall score across all events.

Haringey’s greatest successes were in five events – Boys and Girls ParaGames Athletics, Girls Football, Netball, Boys Athletics and Boys Basketball.

Burk Gravis, Haringey Borough Team Organiser, said: “The success of winning the Jubilee Trophy today has been a team effort over the years. We’ve shared the same desire to give the youngsters of Haringey the best opportunity of taking part in a variety of sports, in the London Youth Games, the largest youth event in Europe.

Building partnerships and understanding what support the young people needed has been a huge part, as have the clubs, schools, parental support, coaches, alongside immense support from Tottenham Grammar School Foundation and core funding from the Council.”

Cllr Peray Ahmet, the Leader of Haringey Council, said: “It’s fantastic that the young athletes in #TeamHaringey, spurred on by an ever-willing band of carers/parents, coaches and volunteers, have won the Jubilee Trophy at the London Youth Games for the first time in our borough’s history this year.

It should never be underestimated just what it means to these young people to represent Haringey at a London-wide competition in sports they enjoy, and clearly excel at. They’ve done us all proud once again and I’m sure #TeamHaringey will be doing everything in their power to defend the title in 2023.”

Disabled young people have been amongst the most isolated in society during the pandemic, with uncertainty around coronavirus also impacting their mental health. The ParaGames Athletics event in May 2022 gave young people with impairments the opportunity to boost their mental wellbeing through exercise. The Haringey girls run, threw and jumped their way to gold medals at the inclusive event, with the Haringey boys coming away with 3^rd place.

In June, Haringey won first place in the Netball competition, beating 24 other borough teams and proudly lifting the trophy. For the young people involved, sport means more than just being active. It means new friendships, pride and feeling part of something. Josie Hesketh, a player in the Haringey netball team said: “Netball really helps me move forward in life. We have a community within the team and it’s really nice to be with your friends every day. I feel very privileged to represent my borough.”

England netball player, Kira Rothwell said: “My netball journey actually started at the London Youth Games. I was scouted when I was playing here by a regional coach and she invited me to play at regional level. The London Youth Games are so important and it’s so exciting to see the next generation coming through.”

Just before the UEFA Women’s EUROs started in July, Haringey competed in the Girls Football competition and came away with 1st place, after competing against 24 boroughs. Haringey finished the season with a bang too, winning gold medals at the hotly contested Boys Athletics at the London 2012 Olympic legacy venue, Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

The borough also got 3rd place in the Boys Basketball at the incredible Copper Box.

Geoff Thompson MBE, Chair of London Youth Games, commented: “Congratulations to Haringey and all those involved in London Youth Games. In a 2012 Olympic and Paralympic 10th Anniversary year, Sport, and London Youth Games is a great unifier in bringing communities together. Each one of us is aware of lives being lost on London’s streets and I believe sport and London Youth Games has such an important role in boosting our young people’s life chances, creating opportunities, and ultimately saving lives. I became Chair of London Youth Games to give more young people the chance to participate in the Games and I want to create a youth games where every single young Londoner wants to be involved in some way, assisted by all the agencies who support our efforts, providing a real and lasting legacy opportunity for all.”