Northamptonshire Youth Games

You might already be aware that the tough decision has been made that, after 10 very successful years, last summer’s running of the Northamptonshire Youth Games would be the last.  First organised in 1999 as a lead up event to the Millennium Youth Games, the Northamptonshire Youth Games has provided thousands of young people across the county the opportunity to represent their district or borough in a celebration of sport and competition.  

Nick Bunting, chair of the Executive Board commented that “having moved venue from Northampton to Corby before settling for the last eight years in Kettering, the Games had great success at driving forward local sports development programmes, school-club links and National Governing Body competition structures. I’d like to thank all those involved in whatever capacity with the Games over the years”.

However, as Chris Holmes, interim Director of Northamptonshire Sport pointed out “recent years have seen a lessening impact of the Games. It’s done a tremendous job to build some really strong foundations but time’s have moved on and we’re in a new environment now for sports development”.

Work is afoot to put in place local showcase opportunities, linked in with the School Sport Week 29th Jun – 3rd Jul 2009. Also, Northamptonshire Sport is committed to working with local authorities and Governing Bodies to map out future possibilities for an event, programme or initiative that fulfils similar objectives but which is more suited to the current sporting landscape. Watch this space!