THE team representing Lancaster in the International Youth Games have returned with a total of 66 medals (33 gold, 18 silver and 15 bronze).
The games, held in Almere, Holland, from July 11 to 16, saw more than 500 young people aged between 14 and 16 from six different countries competing in eight different sports. Lancaster's team of 32 participants and seven leaders competed in athletic
s, badminton, rowing, swimming and tennis.
As well as Lancaster representing England, the other teams came from Rendsburg (Germany), Almere (Netherlands), Haapsalu (Estonia), Aalborg (Denmark), and Vaxjo (Sweden).
The standard of competition was high and the Lancaster team enjoyed success across the whole range of their sports, winning medals in most sports that they participated in.
Highlights from the games were Stephanie Spencer breaking games records in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, one of which had stood since 1983.
Maxine Meju also broke a games record in the 80m sprint in athletics, the rowers won gold in the coxed fours against a very strong Germany team in the final and the team also won gold and silver in the mixed doubles tennis.
Lancaster were represented in the 2010 International Youth Games by: (Athletics) Maxine Meju, Callum Mason, Jordan Wright, James Whittaker, Harry Modley, Christina Bell, Sarah Hodgson, Alice Tidswell; (Badminton) Jared Holmes, Mitchell Rumney, David Riley, Oliver Ras, Olivia Shaw, Josephine Saul, Louise Saul, Emily Rasmussen; (Rowing) Robbie Oliver, Oliver Uttley, Robert Whitley, Vishnu Kammath; (Swimming) Lauren Akister, Becky Hepworth, Lauren Sharkey, Stephanie Spencer, Bill Timpany, Alasdair Fairhurst, Luke Saul, Matthew Rawlinson; (Tennis) Tom Greenwood, Rob Kempster, Declan Pickvance and Luke Coltman.
The Lancaster Team was accompanied by a civic delegation, comprising the Mayor of Lancaster, Coun Tony Wade, the Mayoress Christine Wade, Coun Eileen Blamire, who was chosen by ballot, and Gill Noall, Head of Democratic Services.
As well as acknowledging the young people, Lancaster City Council would like to offer its thanks and appreciation to the overall leaders and the sports leaders: Stuart Glover, Simon Kirby, Kathryn Burns, Tony Barker, Andy Daykin, Oliver Smalley and James Mcnally.
