This week, Redbridge was filled with excitement as London Youth Games hosted a multi-sport event, giving young people of all abilities the chance to compete, connect and most importantly – have fun.

The event was part of the School Games, where each activity helps participants build confidence while ensuring they reach at least 60 active minutes a day.

Bringing together festivals and competitions, the event was delivered in partnership with School Games Organisers and the London Schools network.

The School Games are built on key principles including: focusing on inclusion, addressing local needs, focusing on personal development and aligning with the Spirit of the Games.

The event featured a range of activities, including:

Football Skills Festival –
Supported by The Kevin Campbell Foundation, this inclusive festival gives young girls the chance to develop their football skills and confidence through drills and 5v5 games.

Visual Impairment Festival –
This was our first-ever multi-sports festival designed for young people with visual impairments and their friends. Participants enjoyed a variety of sports, including Athletics, Blind Football, Tennis, Blind Baseball, Goalball, Triathlon and Boccia with a focus on inclusivity.

Sportshall Athletics Finals –
The finals event of Sportshall Athletics was a high-energy day of indoor track and field events, including Obstacle Relay, Vertical Jump, Shot Putt and Speed Bounce.

Bee Netball Festival –
This festival was aimed at developing young players’ confidence in netball. The event involved a mix of station based activities with activities like Netball Rally and Run the Gauntlet to promote fun and skill-building.

New Age Kurling –
This fun, inclusive and accessible sport competition gave participants a chance to compete in the sport where players take turns sliding stones toward a target.

Durga Ranjitkumar, a teacher from Redbridge, saw a transformation in her Football Skills Festival participants: “At first, they didn’t want to play, and now they’re all putting their hands up to join in. They’re supporting each other, and it’s building their love for football.”

One Football Skills participant, Eva, shared her enthusiasm, saying, “I enjoyed playing here so much and I wish I could come here again 1000 times. Football made me feel really happy and made me enjoy myself.”

Events like these give young people new opportunities to be active, build friendships and gain confidence through play and activity.

Trevor Irving, an inclusion teacher from Redbridge, spoke about the impact of Visual Impairment festival: “The whole group are interacting with each other and enjoying themselves in a range of sports in a really well-organised event that’s all about inclusion.” The School Games Organiser in Redbridge added “There’s definitely a need for this type of event because many young people with impairments don’t get these opportunities.”

Thanks to the support of our partners today: Peter Harrison Foundation, Greater London Authority Mayor of London, VICTA , Metro Blind Sport, Bloomsbury Football, LTA, GB Blind Baseball, Goalball UK, British Triathlon Federation, England Netball, Disability Sports Coach, Redbridge Sports & Leisure, Bealonians Football Club, Goals 4 Girls, Leyton Orient Trust