Youth Games to return

Thames Water to support event for Londoners, re-introduced after a seven year absence

Thames Water and London Youth Games (LYG) Ltd are delighted to announce that the former is to be title sponsor of the LYG Regatta.

The five year sponsorship deal will run from 2009 to 2013 and secures the permanent return of the Regatta to the Games after an absence of seven years. It follows Thames Water’s sponsorship of a successful pilot Regatta in 2008, which saw over 400 young Londoners competing in four disciplines: sailing, rowing, kayaking slalom and canoe sprint.

This year, LYG Ltd aims to increase participation in the Regatta by working closely with its partners to promote sailing, rowing and kayaking opportunities across London.

Speaking about the deal David Owens, Chief Executive of Thames Water, said: “The London Youth Games provides a great opportunity for the capital's young people to get involved in activities that are both enjoyable and good for their health. We are extremely pleased to be able to help make the Regatta a permanent feature at the Games. Our world-class tap water will refresh the athletes, volunteers and officials - and we may even discover some future Olympians to represent Britain in the 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.”

Commenting on the return of the Regatta, Guy Malpas, RYA Regional Development officer for London and Thames Valley said: “What better opportunity for youngsters to pitch their skills and get a taste for competitive sailing than at London’s largest youth sporting event and what will prove to be the largest youth sailing regatta.”

The Thames Water Regatta, part of the Balfour Beatty London Youth Games, will take place on 13 June at the Royal Victoria Docks and the London Regatta Centre. The Games are a unique season of events at the heart of youth sport in the Capital, involving all 33 London Boroughs and 26 National Governing Bodies. They give young Londoners the opportunity to discover and achieve their sporting potential in a high quality sports environment.