Tony Dallas talks sport… and with more than 20 years working as a sports development officer he knows what he’s on about

Published: 11 July, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

SOMETHING quite magical happens in July. The finals of the London Youth Games, the Mini Games and the School Games grip the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.

Young people aged seven to 18 from all 33 London boroughs gather in team colours to compete against their peers in a number of sporting disciplines.

The games are free and open to all young people living or going to school in the capital and, with a reputed 70,000 plus kids taking part, it’s the largest annual youth sports event in Europe.

Now in terms of learning about team sports, individual achievement, personal development and all the health benefits that sport brings, this event should be a stepping stone to something special.

But not having the proper training facilities in the borough will always remain a hindrance. Many sports are out-sourced, meaning kids from Camden and Islington may have to travel long distances to train and the cost implication for parents depending on the sport could make competing untenable.

When I used to take teams to the games there were fair- ground rides and food stalls, radio road shows that gave out prizes for the best dancers and singers, while the buzz of Olympic-style competition rang out from all areas.

I fear the cuts imposed on sports development teams throughout London mean the entertainment, facilities and the festival atmosphere have suffered.

I remember when youngsters could be seen wearing their games T-shirts with pride around the borough weeks after the event had finished. As a sports development worker I dreamt of beating the “green space boroughs” – places like Havering and Redbridge. Or becoming the best inner-London borough, a prize that Wandsworth, with an influx of funding, has managed to win this year.

There are those who try to sell the ideology that it’s the taking part that counts. I, however, don’t subscribe to that way of thinking. I believe you compete to win, why else would you call it competition?

• What do you think? Is it the taking part that counts or the winning? Tell us your view: sport@camdennewjournal.com