Published Tuesday, 17th March 2015

We are putting a call out for children interested in trying out a new sport through a free sports coaching programme offered as part of the P and G Surrey Youth Games 2015.

The P&G Surrey Youth Games programme offers children aged seven to 16:

  • free coaching in 14 different sports at local venues, during April, May and June

  • team selection, based as much on enthusiasm, effort and participation in the coaching sessions as on sporting ability

  • chances to compete, representing Reigate & Banstead, during the two day P&G Surrey Youth Games 2015 at the elite Surrey Sports Park’s world class sports facility on 20 and 21 June.

Free coaching

The free coaching courses cover a variety of sports including basketball, boccia, non-contact boxing, cricket (girls only), football (girls only), hockey, lacrosse, netball, rugby (girls only), squash, swimming, table tennis and tennis. Organised by our Sports Development Officer in conjunction with local club and sports centre coaches, the coaching all takes place at local schools, clubs and leisure facilities. Each session is led by fully qualified coaches and takes place after school or at the weekend. Up to eight weeks of free training sessions and trials are offered in 14 different sports. We are able to offer this with the kind support of our sponsors Better (GLL) and Toyota (GB) Plc.

In putting the call out to young potential athletes Cllr Mrs Ros Mill, Portfolio holder for Leisure and Wellbeing said: “If you’re aged seven to 16 why not take part in this year’s P&G Surrey Youth Games? The free coaching could start a life-long love of a sport, gives you a chance to meet new people and make new friends. Over half who take part join a club after the Games and carry on enjoying the sport for years to come.”

Representing the borough

Every child attending the coaching sessions or trials has a chance of being selected to represent Reigate & Banstead at the P&G Surrey Youth Games 2015 in June at the world-class Surrey Sports Park. The weekend will be an extravaganza of sport, and provides an inspiring experience of an Olympic-style event. All 11 Surrey boroughs and districts compete in 15 different sports, with 2,000 people taking part over the weekend.

Highlighting the Games themselves, Cllr Mrs Ros Mill continued: “With 28 different events, there is plenty of non-stop action. In keeping with Olympic tradition, the top three teams in each event receive gold, silver or bronze medals. Competitors are inspired by visits from former international athletes displaying their national tracksuits and medals and sharing their stories of how they reached the top.”

Alan Jennings, Corporate Planning & CSR Manager for sponsor Toyota (GB) Plc. added: "The Surrey Youth Games is a great way of getting young people into sport, providing them with a unique opportunity for free coaching sessions and a chance to represent their borough. Toyota (GB) Plc are proud to give our continued support to the athletes from our local borough of Reigate & Banstead, in their preparation for the games this year."

Laura Mangan, Community Sports Manager (Epsom & Ewell and Reigate & Banstead), GLL, also sponsoring the borough’s teams, said: “The Surrey Youth Games is a fantastic opportunity for young athletes to compete in a sport they love or try something new. BETTER Leisure Centres in Reigate & Banstead are very proud to sponsor the event and wish all the participants the very best of luck.”

To qualify for the free coaching sessions, children must:

  • live or go to school in the borough of Reigate & Banstead

  • be of the right age and sex for the sport they wish to take part in

  • be below county standard in the sport they wish to take part in

  • want to have loads of fun!

Details of venues, dates and times are available from our P&G Surrey Youth Games page.

More information is also available by contacting the council’s Sports Development Officer, Cat Gibson at leisure.services@reigate-banstead.gov.uk, or on 01737 276125