The charity that creates life-changing opportunities through the power of competitive sport for all young Londoners.
LONDON YOUTH GAMES FOUNDATION IMPACT REPORT 2023
IMPACT REPORT 2023
Those who face the greatest inequalities are most likely to be inactive.
We believe sport is a right for all.
We believe sport boosts physical and mental health.
We believe sport builds friendships and connects young people with their communities.
Thanks to your support, you’re helping us in our mission to create a youth games that’s accessible to young Londoners of all:
genders
ethnicities
disabilities
backgrounds
beliefs
"Sport is a fundamental right for All. This report demonstrates how the Games plays a hugely positive part in young Londoner’s lives. Especially helping young people who face disadvantage to become healthier, safer and more successful.”
“
Geoff Thompson MBE FRSA DL QP JM, Chair
Reaching young people from 32 Boroughs of London and the City of London.
LYG'S 5 STRATEGIC PILLARS
46 YEARS OF WELCOMING YOUNG PEOPLE
1899970
PARTICIPANTS REACHED SINCE 1977
The games was a launch pad for my love of sport and I took the core values of the games into my International athletics careers, as a javelin thrower. The games have a special place in my heart."
"My journey with LYG has gone from participating in squash in 1979. Since then, I've continued to be involved, as a Team Manager, BTO, official and now as a Games Referee.
Pat Andrews, LYG participant 1979, ex-Team Manager/BTO and current LYG Games Referee
"
82
of London Youth Games participants enjoy exercising or playing sports, compared to 44% of similar aged Londoners
92
of London Youth Games participants are inspired to continue with their sport(s)
%
%
*Open Games survey carried out by Trust Impact (Feb - Sept 2023)
INCREASE IN IMPRESSIONS
185170
INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS
1206
INCREASE IN IMPRESSIONS
31370
INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS
1000
Europe’s largest community youth sporting competition enabling young Londoners from all backgrounds, supported by their Borough Team Organisers, to represent their borough and compete across 30 sports. The 32 boroughs of London and the City of London are our members.
"I found it tough when I started. I was the only one on a balance bike, while my friends were already around me riding two-wheeled bikes."
“
Open Games
young people took part from the 1st-5th most deprived areas of London (IMD 1-5) last year
%
15
of London Youth Games participants are lonely never or hardly ever
%
0
*Open Games survey carried out by Trust Impact (Feb - Sept 2023)
young Londoners with special educational needs and disabilities took part last year
870
of last year’s Open Games participants are from Ethnically Diverse communities
10
%
female participants took part last year
20
%
young people took part in London Youth Games Finals and Qualifier events last year
8370
SINCE 1977
25470
Young people with special educational needs and disabilities reached
boroughs of London
(6 more than 2022)
32
Open para games
competitions
9
new inclusive sports added in 2023 (Trampolining and Kayaking)
2
young people took part
8362
female participants took part (49%)
4130
events organized across 38 sports
40
"London Youth Games was the most special day of the year, being able to represent Ealing. It made me love football and being part of a team even more than I already did. It’s great to see girls who are just like I was following in my footsteps."
Chloe Kelly, England Women’s football team
"
For the first time, through a collaborative effort, we delivered a special 2012 legacy opportunity through our Finals Festival, celebrating all young Londoners on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
CREATING A 2012 legacy opportunity for all
LYG Finals Festival
At venues across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, we achieved more than ever before, creating an amazing weekend of sport, culture and art in an atmosphere and spirit not seen since the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the Park.
We partnered with key stakeholders to create a special and enhanced experience for London Youth Games participants and Londoners.
The event ran alongside the ‘Great Get Together’ creating a community festival spanning the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday 1 July.
The young people participating in the weekend were cheered on by Olympic champions and sports stars.
Christine Ohuruogu
Lutalo Muhammad
Shanice
Beckford-Norton
Jordan
Thompson
Marcus Adam
Tess
Howard
Omar
Beckles
Click the buttons to see what sports happened at each venue
Eastcross Square, Copper Box Arena – Festival Site, including 21 stage performances across music, arts and culture, Partner showcase, Sports tasters (American Football, Futsal, Squash and Cricket) & the LYG Bus Experience.
Copper Box Arena – Basketball, Netball & Volleyball (Saturday), Table Tennis (Sunday)
London Aquatics Centre – Swimming (Saturday) & Aquathlon (Sunday)
Lee Valley VeloPark – Road Cycling (Saturday), BMX (Sunday)
Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre – Hockey & Tennis (Sunday)
London Marathon Community Track – Athletics (Saturday)
participants and spectators engaged with the LYG Finals Festival across the weekend of July 1-2, 2023.
3942
Click the images below to see the quotes
“The Finals Festival was a great chance to showcase squash to a brand new audience. All of the young people who had a go had never come across squash - it was very well received and we had a lot of re-visits!”
CHRIS VINE, SQUASH PROVIDER
“The Finals Festival made me feel a part of my community and a part of something good. It doesn’t matter if you’re good at the sports, it just matters that you’re taking part!”
Elisa, Richmond table tennis player
“The event was a celebratory moment for all the young people involved who looked like they left on a real high and feeling proud of both themselves and their peers.”
HANNAH KIDD, DANCE provider, RAMBERT
Hannah
Elisa
Chris
Potential reach of press ft. London Youth Games’ Open Games
Working with the School Games Organiser and schools network across London to provide competition and festival opportunities. Particularly targeting young Londoners who face the greatest barriers to being active.
"It's such a joy to see the kids learn new skills, feel more confident and most importantly, have fun!"
“
School Games
of last year's participants took part from the 1st-5th most deprived areas of London (IMD 1-5)
%
15
more young people
took part in the 2023 School Games compared to last year
%
0
young Londoners with special educational needs and disability took part last year
9770
ethnically-diverse young people took part last year
%
10
female participants took part last year
%
25
young people took part in local pathway opportunities and London wide finals and festival activities through the School Games last year
150999
LYG33 is a youth voice activation and leadership programme that empowers 14–21-year-olds from London to develop themselves and influence the future of London Youth Games and youth sport in London.
"Where before I only dreamt of a more accepting world, thanks to LYG33 I now feel I can genuinely help to create it!”
“
LYG33
Young people face unprecedented challenges in today’s world.
LYG33 have highlighted the key issues facing young people in London with the aim of using sport as a tool to tackle these.
COST OF LIVING
mental
health
knife
crime
accessiblE
physical
activity
GENDER
BIAS
of LYG33 members said the programme improved their confidence in using their voice to tackle issues they care about
100
%
of LYG33 members said the programme increased confidence in themselves and in their ambitions
93
%
of LYG33 members said they were able to contribute to the future of London Youth Games
86
%
boroughs represented by LYG33 members
15
female
LYG33 members
65%
members from the 1st-5th most deprived areas of London (IMD 1-5)
75%
members of LYG33
20
ethnically diverse members of LYG33
55%
with special educational needs and disability
10%
Inclusive Coaches
Inclusive Coaches is a programme supported by our sponsors Nike providing opportunities to upskill individuals through officiating, coaching, leadership and sport development training and mentoring.
This programme was created in response to the need of our network to provide more inclusive coaching to young people in boroughs across London.
"I didn’t want to let Aspergers stop me from fulfilling my coaching dream."
“
Inclusive Coaches not only builds individuals’ technical knowledge, but also provides the skills and confidence to coach young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND).
went on to coach or volunteer within LYG’s para athletics and para football events
100%
gained Level 1 coaching badge in either Athletics or Football
100%
12
coaches with special educational needs and disability (SEND) trained
new coaches trained to offer specialist support and opportunities specially for young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND)
6
GamesForce
Championing volunteering as a way of connecting people and communities to improve life chances for young Londoners.
The power of volunteers builds stronger communities and enables everyone to thrive. Volunteers make a real difference to society as a whole.
"The satisfaction I get from helping out the kids is stuff that's good for my soul."
“
516
young leader volunteers were upskilled to support London Youth Games events.
58%
female young leader volunteers
47%
ethnically diverse young leader volunteers
6%
young leader volunteers with special educational needs and disability (SEND)
20,000
volunteers have been supported to develop their skills and confidence since 1977
1,009
volunteers generously donated their time at a LYG event in 2023
85
volunteers with special educational needs and disability donated their time at a LYG event in 2023
“The young people truly enjoyed their day and left the event full of energy and excitement.
It was heart-warming to see them grow their confidence and work independently, which speaks volumes about the organisation of the event as a whole.”
"
Jane, Head Support
Sense supports and empowers people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities to fulfil their potential.
young people from Sense volunteered at our Para-Games Football event, as pitch runners and assistant supervisors
5
2024
We have big ambitions for the year ahead.
Create an Organising Committee to support the organisation of our Finals Festival
01
WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL
Develop new partnerships, as well as building partnerships with NGB’s
02
WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL
Develop a Community Campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in partnership with Youth Charter
03
WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL
Deliver a larger and more inclusive Finals Festival, collaborating with community partners and sponsors across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
04
WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL
Introduce 3 Adapted Inspire Festivals aimed at young people with special educational needs and disability and their friends and families.
05
WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL
Introduce new Para Sport Events for 2024 including cricket, netball, badminton & basketball.
06
WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL
Develop youth engagement strategies to ensure young peoples’ voices are listened to and actioned at all levels.
07
WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL
We are very grateful to the amazing supporters who have helped us so far.
Could you help us continue to create life-changing opportunities in 2024 and beyond, ensuring sport is a right for all?
It’s only by working together in collaborative partnerships that we can support more young people facing inequalities to access sport, when they need it most.
Spread the word
Yolanda Martin, Marketing Manager
yolanda@londonyouthgames.org
Share our campaign to give more young Londoners life-changing memories.
Become an athlete supporter
Andy Dalby-Welsh, CEO
andy@londonyouthgames.org
Inspire the next generation to stay motivated in sport and share your wisdom.
Become a headline sponsor
Andy Dalby-Welsh, CEO
andy@londonyouthgames.org
Support Finals Festival 2024 (29-30 June) to give life-changing moments and memories to young people across London.
Become a sports partner
