Fun and games

It was all fun and games for Team Hertsmere and olympic medallist Colin Jackson at last weekend's Herts Youth Games, sponsored by Herts Sports Partnership.

 
Colin Jackson with Hertsmere's badminton and hockey teams (photos courtesy of DE photo)

Hertsmere entered eight teams into this year's competition which took place at the University of Hertfordshire's Hatfield campus on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May.  All ten districts in Hertfordshire competed in a variety of sports and there were also a number of free activities and exhibitions for all the family.

On Saturday, Hertsmere's girls basketball team battled hard in the first event to come seventh.  The boccia competition was an indoor bowls style game for children and young people with disabilities.  It was a tight competition but the team from Bushey Meads School performed well and came second.  This was the first time boccia was a scoring event at the games and it was a huge success. 

Colin Jackson with the boccia team from Bushey Meads School (photo courtesy of DE photo)

The under 13s netball team also got off to a good start winning their first two matches in a tight group and came sixth overall.  The girls hockey team did tremendously to come third only missing out on second place by one goal. 

The badminton team, made up of three boys and three girls, played in singles, doubles and mixed doubles and played brilliantly together to come second in the event.  This helped Hertsmere be at a very healthy joint-third place in the competition overall at the end of the first day, our highest position in the games history.

The Hertsmere netball team in action on Saturday

However, with a few teams withdrawing on Sunday, it was difficult for Hertsmere to keep up the pace.

The under 15s netball team never gave up and were unlucky to lose to Dacorum in the fifth and sixth playoff.  Both athletics teams finished tenth but there were some excellent individual and team displays as well as brilliant support from friends and family.

Hertsmere finished the games in ninth position but work is already underway for us to bounce back at next year's games. 

Helen Bottomley, Community Sports Officer, organised the team for Hertsmere and said: "Everyone who took part worked really hard in training and in the competition.

"Everyone who competed put a lot of effort into the games and really enjoyed themselves.  It was a shame we were unable to compete in every event but it's the taking part that counts.   

"As well as congratulating all those who took part, I would like to thank the team managers and all the volunteers who helped co-ordinate our team as well as all the parents for bringing their children to training and supporting them on the day.

"It was also great to see the celebrity guests Colin Jackson and Dr Alison Mowbray support the event.  Both of them spent time meeting the teams, presented medals, posed for photos and signed autographs.  They were really involved in the games and made a special effort will all the children."

As well as avid athletes there were some budding reporters at the games.  Younes Zoutat and Kaho Cheung from Hertswood School were chosen to report on the games because of their keen interest in journalism.  Younes said: "The best part was when we met Colin Jackson, hurdling champion and twice world record holder.  We found out his role model of all time is Daily Thompson, he started hurdling at the age of 17, and won his first gold medal at the age of 22.

"He loves skiing, rugby, tennis and cricket.  His longest and worst injury was to one of his Achilles' tendons which kept him out for seven months.  His motto is better to be healthy than wealthy."

The weekend was also attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Hertsmere, Martin and Jane Saunders.

For more information or to register an interest in Hertsmere's 2009 team, please contact Helen Bottomley on 020 8207 7801 or at helen.bottomley@hertsmere.gov.uk