With all the talk about Squash and the Youth Olympics 2018 – it seems London Youth Games and Squash make for a great association in promoting grassroots squash development.
Last month was the 40th London Youth Games held at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, it came down to a final between the London Borough of Bromley and London Borough of Wandsworth in the boy’s Squash final, with Bromley is winning it was certainly good for the borough.
Keeping London youth active since 1977
The London Youth Games has a rich and diverse history, stretching back decades and featuring some of the most influential figures in British sport of the last 40 years, ranging from royalty, senior political figures, and over 1 million Londoners.
Whilst similar youth events across the UK have come and gone, the London Youth Games has not only survived since launching in 1977, but it has also thrived.
What sets the London Youth Games apart from other global leading annual youth sports events is that the London Youth Games has continually evolved and progressed driving participation in school and community sports in the nation’s capital.
Hall of Fame – Paul Johnson
Right: Paul Johnson (credit Squash Player Magazine)
Paul Johnson is the most notable Squash player who has taken in the London Youth Games, representing the London Borough of Greenwich.
Following his participation in the event back in the 1980s, he went on to become a top-class squash career, peaking as World no4.
Paul has enjoyed major success at the Commonwealth Games, winning men’s doubles gold and singles bronze in 1998 and men’s doubles bronze in 2002, alongside seven European Team Championships with England.
One of Paul’s career highlights in Squash was the first round of the British Open against Peter Nicol in 1997. In the third game, Johnson held a match-ball and appeared to win the point.
Both, Paul and Peter, shook hands and walked off the court, but the referee called them back and made them replay the disputed point. Nicol then went on to win the match (and ultimately reached the final).
Now retired, Paul Johnson is one of the main PSA SquashTV commentators, together with Joey Barrington.
Both are regarded as the humorous duo on this channel, often resorting to typical banter. Paul Johnson’s favourite scoreline is 2-2 in the 5th game, accompanied by the catchphrase “There is nothing between them, Joey”.
He was inducted into the London Youth Games Hall of Fame in 2011.
A family legacy of success
However, the main talk of the 2017 London Youth Games was about a talented young woman from Kingston who scooped gold – topping her father’s childhood success by scooping gold in the girl’s squash category at London Youth Games.
Clara Woodbridge, 17 (below, with trophy), helped the London Borough of Kingston Girls’ squash team conquer Bromley 2-1, to take home the girl’s squash team title, in the same game final.
Ironically, her father, Andrew won silver in the boys’ squash event at the very first London Youth Games in 1977 – which was officially opened by the Queen as part of the Sliver Jubilee celebrations.
Image Credit: Surrey Comet
Just like the CASA Junior Championship, the London Youth Games are a testament to all grassroots sports development programs and for Squash, it is good for young people from different London boroughs to compete against each other.
Final Thoughts
Looking at the junior squash programs across London each one is unique and delivers strong social value in keeping young people active.
Hopefully one day, we have one of our pupils – take in the London Youth Games.
Tournaments like the London Youth Games are a great platform for junior Squash players from part of London to showcase their talent in the sport; as a means to compete with their peers.
As Squash clubs, seeing their young charges (junior squash players) do well can bring about a number of awards, such as funding and more marketability for their grassroots programmes.
Overall, the event brings about greater community cohesion using sport, including squash as a tool to unite London.
