Spring and summer sport for young people in Runnymede

Specsavers Surrey Youth Games

Coming up is the 24 Specsavers Surrey Youth Games. This is the largest independent multi-sport youth event in Southeast England, and it offers free local training for children aged between six and 16 years old.

Although Surrey Youth Games is open to all, families who do not usually have access to sporting opportunities are encouraged to sign-up first.

After the Easter holidays, training will commence in each of Surrey’s ten boroughs, and the event culminates with a final celebration at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford, on Saturday 18 June 2022.

The Games are exclusively for beginners to try out and gain confidence in a new sport, and for those who might initially be put off by competing with others. The focus is on training, enjoyment, taking part and having fun.

The activities on offer are a great way to get active and introduce young people to new sports, all delivered for free by a qualified coach. Surrey Youth Games is fully inclusive as all the sports can be tailored to individual needs.

Sports ambassadors

We are also looking for young ambassadors to help to promote the Games. Young ambassadors play an important role in promoting the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games among school friends and family.

If you think you could help spread the word about the games, encourage new participants to take part and talk about the event in school assembly, then apply today. The scheme is open to residents aged six to 16 years old and is an opportunity for young people to develop their leadership skills and confidence.

If you’d like to apply to be a sports ambassador simply visit our Sports ambassadors web page, email sports@runnymede.gov.uk or call 01932425677, no later than Friday 18 March 2022.

We will contact all successful ambassadors by Wednesday 23 March 2022. If you are selected, you will be invited to attend our special welcome event on Wednesday 30 March 2022, 6pm-8pm, at the Civic Centre office in Addlestone.

Cllr Chris Howorth, Chair of the Council’s Community Services Committee said:

We are very happy to see both Sportability and the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games return to our Borough.
 

As a Council, we strive to support local people by developing healthier communities and empowering individuals to improve the quality of their lives. Both events support young people to try out and enjoy a variety of new sports and demonstrate our commitment to inclusion for all in the activities offered in our Borough. 
 

I am also excited by the opportunity for young people to develop their leadership and advocacy skills and build self-confidence through the sports ambassadors scheme.
 

I look forward to welcoming all participants in these activities.

You can find key dates below

Free access for county sports

Are you an experienced athlete? If you live in Runnymede and participate in sport at a county standard or above, you are eligible for a free access for county sports (FACS) card, that allows you complimentary access to select sporting facilities in the Borough. Find out more about free access  

• Free access for county sports people

Sportability Festival

The Runnymede Sportability Festival took place on Thursday 17 March 2022. The festival is designed to prioritise the needs of children with disabilities, whilst welcoming all young people to participate.

Sportability is an annual event that brings sport and challenging pursuits to people with disabilities. It is run in association with Ryan Raghoo, founder of the charity Enabled not Disabled. He aims to take the ‘dis’ away from disability and focus on what people can do.

Schools across the Borough sign up for a day of activities that allow their students to try a variety of inclusive and disability specific sports and activities. Some of the many options available this year were wheelchair basketball, tennis, judo, boxing, inclusive dance, boccia, cage cricket and rugby.