Waveney are celebrating after bringing home the Overall Winners trophy for the fourth consecutive year at the 2008 Redrow Homes Suffolk Youth Games.

In winning the overall trophy for the fourth year running, Waveney's success at last Sunday's Games equalled the achievements of 2005, 2006 and 2007. Particularly rewarding were the number of children involved in the lead in to the Games, totalling over 450 young people once again this year.

Over 700 youngsters aged between nine and sixteen as well as hundreds of supporters, coaches, team managers and volunteers from the seven participating Suffolk districts, contributed to this well established annual sporting event, this year held in Ipswich.

The Redrow Homes sponsored Games consisted of ten events which covered athletics, badminton, mixed basketball, girls' cricket, hockey, table tennis, tag rugby and tennis with athletics including participation by disabled athletes. There were also demonstration sports in the form of cycling, and judo. The Get Back Into Roadshow, showcasing a number of sports including fencing, karate and tchouckball, also joined us.

Providing an outlet for the Suffolk Sports Partnership, a pre Games coaching programme, involving over 450 children has been delivered across Waveney, introducing young people to regular sporting activity in community sports clubs and providing ongoing development opportunities so they can achieve their best.

Particularly shining were the Waveney badminton team, tennis team and the girl’s football team whose three gold medal performances ensured overall success.


Continued success in the athletics team (managed by Brian Boardley and Paul Smith) and the disabled athletics team (Sue Allen and Wendy Bradshaw) got everyone off to a great start as they both narrowly missed out on gold.

The girl’s hockey team (Alex Bond and Charlotte Bond) had a great day and were just pipped to the post in a close run final after penalty flicks against Ipswich. The boy’s team (manager Ross Trindall) performed incredibly well with a depleted team of 6 gaining fourth position overall.

Bronze medal success was achieved by the girls cricket team (Liz Read), the basketball team (Matt Harber and Adam Dyer), the table tennis team (Charles Goddard) and the tag rugby team (Marc Dyer and Jason Hewitt) who had consistently good performances throughout the day.

Rounding off an amazing day saw ‘Team Waveney’ also bring home the fairplay trophy jointly with St Edmundsbury, a testament to the way in which the coaches and youngsters approached the day.

The Suffolk Sports Partnership Team and in particular Tracy Brownlow, Games Manager, played a key part in the event and are to be congratulated for another outstanding day.

Councillor Wendy Mawer, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration said "I would like to thank the support received from all team managers, the County Sports Partnership and the Lowestoft & Beccles School Sports Partnership who once again made the Suffolk Youth Games a sporting success for Waveney. It was truly a day to remember!"

Councillor Peter Collecott, Waveney Representative on Suffolk Sport said "I would like to thank our hosts Ipswich Borough Council for staging an event to be proud of.”


John Pawsey, Chair of the Active Waveney Sports Partnership echoed the sentiments expressed by saying “I am very pleased that Waveney continues to compete to such a high level at this prestigious county event. The success of ‘Team Waveney’ bodes well for the future of sport and physical activity in the district.”

Waveney District Council's Sports Development Team (Claire Henwood and Jane Lewis) who were tasked with the co-ordination of Waveney's representation said "To be overall winners once again is a great achievement and is richly deserved for the hard work and dedication that the team managers, volunteers and coaches have shown. We continue to be overwhelmed by the level of support we are given and are very proud to be part of ‘Team Waveney’"

For further information, please contact the Sports Development Team on 01502 523010 / 523635 or e-mail sports.development@waveney.gov.uk