Over 1000 youngsters hit Plymouth on Saturday 28th June 2008 and competed in the Devon Youth Games, creating one of the most
memorable days of the county’s sporting year so far.
Held over three venues, Brickfields Recreation Ground, UCP Marjons and The Devonshire Racquet Centre, the games attracted students from ten local authorities (North Devon, West Devon, Mid Devon, East Devon, South Hams, Torbay, Plymouth, Exeter, Teignbridge and Torridge).
Over 1000 students competed in 21 different sporting events in a bid for the coveted Devon Youth Games 2008 Title. In the end, the Plymouth City Council Team won the Games overall, though Torbay can be very proud of its achievements. Torbay finished fifth overall after winning four Gold medals, a silver medal and a bronze medal.
In the Fair Play Award, Torbay can also be proud after finishing fourth. Torridge were the winners of the Fair Play Trophy.
The Youth Games is now an annual festival of sport for young people from Clubs, colleges, and primary schools who are not competing at County or National Level. The event was opened by ITV Westcountry sports presenter Mark Tyler, and was attended by Torbay’s Mayor Nick Bye and Councillor Robert Excell.
Torbay competed in 15 of the events on offer, including Junior Aquathlon, Inter Aquathlon, Senior Aquathlon, Girls Badminton, Boys Badminton, Girls Cricket, Gymnastics, Girls Hockey, Boys Hockey, Mini Soccer, Netball, Table Tennis, Girls Tag Rugby, Mixed Tag Rugby and Tennis.
Kirsty Parker, Torbay Community Sports Co-ordinator and the Torbay Lead for the Youth Games said: ‘The Torbay competitors have once again excelled themselves. To better our final position from previous years is amazing and to come second on the Gold Medal Table is phenomenal. This success only proves that the Team Managers who have been involved in the Games this year for Torbay have really worked hard. By taking part in the Youth Games for Torbay, not only do you get to experience a fantastic day, but you get over 3 months worth of quality coaching.’
‘The Torbay Team Managers, Eric Barber, Steve Duggan, Ellie Fielding, Nicci Tucker, John Julyan, Adam White, Jo Reed, Glenys Haywood, George Breyley, Charlie Haigh, Annie Matthews and Rachael Jacobs, have given up so much of their time – it is because of them that the young people of Torbay have had such an unforgettable day.’
Torbay Medal winners:
Gold in Gymnastics: Amber Hughes, Ava Chamberlain, Otis Skitch, Imogen Cox and Jordan Wafer
Gold in Boys Badminton: William Miles, Jaygen Harrison, Jack Lewis, Freddie Tyler and Marc Wolstenholme
Gold in Girls Badminton: Amanda Perkins, Gemma Collins, Catherine Harvey and Hannah Sutton
Gold in Girls Cricket: Tirion Swart, Mo Swart, Yasmin Li, Abigail Harvey, Francesca Harvey, Hollie Newbold, Hannah Harvey-Trott, Bethany Bauer, Jess Miller and Sam Morris
Silver in Senior Aquathlon: James Lofthouse, Tom Riden, Connie Fearnley and Emma Reiser
Bronze in Girls Netball: Pippa Howitt, Sophie Wolf, Abbie Maiden, Amelia Cole, Katie Trevarthen, Catherine Seymour, Tilly Boon, Rachel Norman, Amelia Horvarth and Ruth Slyvester
