Hundreds of young athletes from across London came together at UEL SportsDock last weekend for two action-packed days of volleyball, competing for a place in the London Youth Games Finals Festival.

Over 500 young people representing 26 boroughs took part in the volleyball qualifiers on 5–6 April 2025. The high-energy weekend featured 24 boys’ teams and 17 girls’ teams, with the top four from each progressing to the finals.

Teams competed in round robin matches throughout the day before moving into the knockout stages. Congratulations to the semi-finalists who will progress to the Finals Festival event on 6 July at the Copper Box Arena:

• Boys: Southwark, Wandsworth, Ealing and Greenwich
• Girls: Lambeth, Richmond, Barnet and Greenwich

“It was a great atmosphere – all the kids were enjoying themselves. It was very well organised, as always and very positive,” said Coach Elsa, Team Manager for Greenwich. “Being part of a team is essential for children. They develop a sense of belonging and community. It builds resilience and strong mental wellbeing in a safe environment – this is so important.”

Of the 507 participants, 293 were from diverse communities, reflecting London Youth Games’ commitment to inclusion and equitable access to sport across the capital.

The Volleyball Qualifiers are part of our commitment to create life-changing opportunities through sport and physical activity. London Youth Games is the UK’s largest city-wide youth sports programme and for 48 years, the charity has supported young people’s personal, physical and emotional development.

Thank you to the officials who brilliantly supported the day, particularly our young umpires and scores for their efforts. We are grateful to the BTO’s, Team Managers and parents for their support in making the day memorable for the players.

Want to support the Games? Partner with us to help more young Londoners access the benefits of sport – email us at info@londonyouthgames.org to find out more.