Year 10 Alex D recently found out that exciting news that she has been reappointed as a LYG33 ambassador for Ealing in 2023. Here’s what Alex had to say on what it means to be an Ambassador plus what she hopes to learn and achieve over the coming year.

“I recently found out I was chosen again, and I was thrilled because it provided amazing opportunities in the 2022 season. It’s an organisation that I am really passionate about being involved with, because I want sport to be as inclusive as possible and I want everyone to be able to feel like they can participate. This is especially important for all young girls, as feminist representation is vital when breaking stereotypes within sport. LYG33 gives me the platform and the opportunity to speak to people who can make a change with these issues I care about, and the group will also be able to make changes within ‘London Youth Games’ itself.

The first meeting for the 2023 session took place in the middle of January, and it was an all-day event. The day involved getting to know the 20 other representatives from boroughs across London, and we participated in team building activities, as well as getting to talk about what we aim to achieve within the season. I also received all my new LYG kit.

Throughout the season, we will have many more opportunities to do more volunteering, meet politicians and sports people from our local community, work with sports journalists from the BBC, and help run LYG events such as the netball and hockey competitions.”

What has being a LYG ambassador taught you so far?

It has taught me a lot about teamwork and the value of listening to everyone, as everyone has different contributions. I also have learnt a lot about organisation for big events, and how to plan them.

What would you like to achieve this year as an ambassador?

My main goal is to volunteer more at events and help with organisation as I have learnt that I really enjoy doing it. I also want to try and help inclusivity and participation in sport, especially with young girls trying sports they would be too afraid to try.

Do you get to meet up with other LYG ambassadors for other sports? Have you met anyone interesting?

Being an ambassador has meant that I have met a wide range of young people around my age from many different sports including rowing, netball, hockey, cross country, BMX biking and many more. Last year I also got the opportunity to meet a weightlifter for Team GB (and Olympian), Zoe Pablos Smith. In addition to this, at the Redbridge hub event when I was volunteering, I was invited to meet mayors from many boroughs, such as Enfield and Camden, which I am sure I would never have had the opportunity to do without LYG. This meant I got to ask them about new initiatives they were introducing in sports, and it was really interesting to learn more about what they were planning on doing. LYG also helped give me the opportunity to meet the head of London Swimming in June last year, which was amazing!

How many LYG have you swam at & have you done in the meets?

Due to Covid, I wasn’t able to swim at the 2020 and 2021 LYG events, so I have only swum in the 2022 London Youth Games. This was at the London Aquatics Centre, and was really fun. I came 4th in the 50m freestyle, which I was surprised at because I am usually not a sprinter. I was also a part of the medley and freestyle junior relays for Team Ealing. I am competing in the London Youth Games in July 2023 for swimming, and hopefully I will be able to do the biathlon as well!