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Rick Grice Award
Rick Grice Award
Kingston London Youth Games Boys Hockey Team shortlisted for Rick Grice Award
Representatives from thirteen London boroughs and nine separate sports were shortlisted for prizes at this month’s Balfour Beatty London Youth Games Hall of Fame and Awards Evening.
The Kingston London Youth Games Boys Hockey Team were invited to the Balfour Beatty Hall of Fame and Awards Evening. On arrival they were greeted on the red carpet leading to Lords Cricket Ground.
The annual occasion saw former competitors who have gone on to achieve sporting success at the highest level officially inducted into the Hall of Fame and some special awards for the individuals and organisations who have contributed to the huge success of the 2011 London Youth Games season.
Recent inductees into the Hall of Fame included England and Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand, World 5000m champion Mo Farah and Olympic rowing gold medalist Mark Hunter.
The boys hockey team had been short listed for the Rick Grice Award, presented to a team or individual that had entered into the true spirit of the games. Three-times Olympic javelin medalist Steve Backley announced the results as Kingston just missed out to Waltham Forests rowing team. It was with great pride that out of the 72,000 competitors the boys hockey team from Kingston should be deemed worthy of being short listed down to three for the award.
Despite not winning the boys got their hands on the Olympic torch and played table tennis with Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European Champion over 100m.Linford Christie and Chemmy Alcott, three times winter Olympian. Unsurprisingly the Olympians served to win the game!
The awards gave VIPs a true insight in to what the London Youth Games brings to the lives of young people across London and in particular Kingston. The Active Kingston team has worked hard to develop sports that are linked to the games in the borough, this success was shown with team goldsin an impressive five sports this year; girls tag rugby; gymnastics; boys squash; trampolining; and boys hockey. This wealth of young talent alongside the experience of national athletes in the borough will be on display at the Borough Sports Awards on the 20th October at Chessington Community College.
RICK GRICE SPIRIT OF THE GAMES AWARD
Awarded to a team or individual (aged under 25) who best capture the positive nature of the London Youth Games during the year.
NOMINEES
Natalie Robinson (Waltham Forest) – competitor in multiple sports and a super enthusiast
Kingston Male Hockey Team – For tremendous team ethic as they won gold
Waltham Forest Rowing Team – First time competitors on the water who won mixed quads silver