Olympic flame makes Herts Youth Games extra special

Date:  10 July 2012

Over 1,000 young athletes from across Hertfordshire took part in the Herts Youth Games on Sunday. Despite the heavy downpours the day was a successful one for ‘Team Three Rivers’ as they came away with gold in the table tennis and fencing and silver in the girl’s football.

Athletes and spectators were treated to the added bonus of the Olympic Torch arriving at the Herts Youth Games on Sunday which snaked through the Hertfordshire Sports Village, Hatfield an official stop for the torch. Extra excitement was added by torch bearers Talya Jacobson and Joanna Hancock when the flame ‘kissed’ in the sports hall with local and national cameras and film crews catching the action.

Speaking after the event Councillor Keith Williams, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, said:

“A huge congratulations to everyone representing Team Three Rivers at the Herts Youth Games. You took part in the spirit of true Olympians. Thank you also to all the volunteers who made the day a fantastic success.”

The Herts Youth Games is an annual event organised by the Herts Youth Games Association with support from the Herts Sports Partnership that showcases all that is good about youngsters participating and competing in sport. Tony Marmo, games organiser and representing the Association, said:

“This year it has once again been a superb day, despite the outdoor sports participating in some heavy downpours of rain, their spirit and enthusiasm never wavered.  The event couldn’t be the success it is each year without the unstinting support of our Herts Youth Games young volunteers and sports club organisers without whom the event could not take place.  “

The event is also supported by the Herts County Sports Partnership. The Partnership’s Director, Christine Neyndorff was thrilled with the day’s success:

“Once again over a thousand young people came together at the Herts Youth Games for a celebration of all that is good about sport. We are very grateful for the support of the Borough & District Councils across Hertfordshire and for their Sports Development Officers who are instrumental to the success of the event. We also had the fantastic opportunity of welcoming the torch relay, a real bonus to the day”