Croydon made London Youth Games history by winning its first under-15 girls football title before adding the girls swimming championship.
More than 200 young footballers from 21 London boroughs gathered at Jack Carter Pavilion at Redbridge Sports Centre on 14 June for the under-15s competition, with teams battling through round robin fixtures before the knockout stages in pursuit of the title.
Croydon finished ahead of Southwark, who claimed silver, while Bromley secured bronze in the Under-15 Girls Football competition.
Croydon player, Lilybell Henson, said: “I’m really proud of the team. It was a tough start but after we got our first win, we were so happy.
“We’re so proud of the team to have won and it’s the first time Croydon has ever won the LYG girls football so we’re making history,”
Henson added that football helps her get her mind off things, saying she loves the sport because it creates friendships, brings people together and makes winning competitions even more rewarding.
Croydon team manager Nathan Davis praised his side’s determination.
He said: “I’m super proud of the girls. They dug deep. They had the right motivation, and they got the win in the final, so I’m really pleased.
“They’ve managed to gel really well as a team, and they’ve all motivated each other as well.
“This is giving recognition of girls’ football and it’s very positive.”
The borough’s successful month had already begun on 10 June, when Croydon earned bronze in the boys parafootball competition after competing against teams from across London in the sensory-hearing and mild learning disability categories.
Croydon ParaFootball team manager Callum said: “The students really enjoyed the spirit of competition and working as a team with people that are of different abilities.
“They also enjoyed the medals, and it’s been a brilliant event.”
The ParaFootball competition was supported by Chaotic, a UK-based competition platform dedicated to supporting families with Special Educational Needs, with London Youth Games and Chaotic Community working together to make sport more inclusive for young people.
Croydon’s celebrations continued when the borough topped the girls swimming competition at the London Aquatics Centre.
The girls were among 412 young athletes representing 27 London boroughs and competing across junior and senior freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and relay events.
Croydon claimed first place overall, finishing ahead of Havering in second and Bromley in third to complete an impressive double success across two major London Youth Games competitions.
The London Youth Games Foundation supports more than 10,000 young people across London each year across 37 sports, involving all 32 boroughs and the City of London.
Feature image: London Youth Games
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