Thousands compete in youth games

Woking Centre vs Elmbridge netball teams at the 2007 games

Thousands of young competitors from across the county are taking part in the two-day Surrey Youth Games.

Some 250 youngsters, aged seven to 16, from each of Surrey's 11 local council areas are taking part in 14 sports, including two for disabled people.

The games are celebrating their 12th annual gathering with two new events added to the programme - swimming and five-a-side netball for primary ages.

Most youngsters have been training for months to take part in the games.

"The Surrey Youth Games is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of young sporting talent across the county," said Judith Dean, regional director of Sport England South East.

"It is the athletes who make the games such a special event.

"They push themselves to the limit to do their best and give us all something to believe in and cheer for."

Several former competitors in the games have gone on to be selected for England or Great Britain teams.

The games are being held at four venues - Surrey University's sports hall and Varsity Centre in Guildford, Guildford Spectrum and Woking Leisure Centre and Woking Pool in the Park.

Jo Sarjant, a Great Britain basketball squad member and Commonwealth bronze medal-winning hockey player Cathy Gilliat-Smith are visiting the Varsity Centre to meet and inspire some of this year's athletes.

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