Sussex Parallel Youth Games brings joy, confidence and competition to Crawley

The K2 Crawley was bursting with energy this week as more than a dozen schools and a charity came together for the Sussex Parallel Youth Games.

Organised by Active Sussex, the annual event on Wednesday, May 20, was a vibrant celebration of inclusion, confidence and the sheer joy of taking part.

In total, 14 schools and organisations entered teams across nine activities, filling every corner of the venue with movement and excitement. 

Pupils took part in boccia, new age kurling, golf, swimming, cricket, dance, street soccer, table cricket and trampolining, with each activity adapted to ensure every young person could shine.

Schools travelled from across Sussex, including Acre Wood Academy (Crowborough), Greater Brighton Metropolitan College, Hamilton Lodge School and College (Brighton), Hazel Court Secondary (Eastbourne), Hill Park School (Portslade), Manor Green College (Crawley), Northease Manor School (Lewes), Oak Grove College (Worthing), Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School (Horsham), St Anthony’s School (Chichester), Whoopsadaisy (Brighton), The Angmering School, Vincent House School (Horsham) and Woodlands Meed School (Burgess Hill).

Lewes Old Grammar School supported the event by leading the dance sessions, while other young leaders from Oriel High School and Thomas Bennett Community College, both from Crawley, helped make sure the activities ran smoothly.

“Everyone is included”

Street soccer, delivered by Kieran Green from Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation, proved a huge hit thanks to its fast‑paced three‑versus‑three format.

“It is going really smoothly,” said Kieran. “It is quicker, everyone is included, and each school knows their team. If a player gets irate, you can swap them in or out.”

Outside on the athletics track, long‑time supporters Jolf ran the golf activities, while Sussex Cricket Foundation delivered both cricket and table cricket. Volunteers from Boccia at the King Alfred Leisure Centre supported the boccia sessions in the main hall.

“These events are always great,” said Sussex Cricket’s Dominic Mamoany. “It has been exhausting, but good.”

Young people finding their moment

The day was packed with personal triumphs and proud smiles.

Lilly from Woodlands Meed described table cricket as “really fun”, while a pupil from Angmering School said of boccia: “It is a good game – I like it because it is competitive.”

Rhys, a Year 7 pupil from Woodlands Meed, loved the cricket: “To get more active and get more energy is the best bit.”

In the pool, Manor Green College pupil Zanayah was unstoppable, winning five medals.

“I have found it really, really good,” she said. “I do not give up. I keep going and always try my best.”

Now in Year 11, she added that she was sad this would be her final Parallel Youth Games.

Her classmate Jack proudly showed off his three medals: “I enjoy the swimming because I race in the water. I was doing it with my friends.”

A new favourite: trampolining

A brand‑new addition this year, trampolining – run by Everyone Active – quickly became a star attraction.

“We have had a brilliant time,” said George McCann, a teaching assistant from Hamilton Lodge School and College, speaking through a translator. “They [the pupils] have been smiling all throughout the day. 

“One of the really great things is the trampoline, because that has not been here before. It gives them something exciting to do.”

Jasmine from Woodlands Meed ran over beaming: “I did four front flips. I loved it. It was really fun.”

A decade of memories

For many schools, the Games are a cherished annual highlight.

Oak Grove College PE teacher Nicole Matthews said they have attended for six years, bringing 35 pupils this time.

“It’s the only event in Sussex that brings together special needs schools in a competitive format across different activities,” she said.

Woodlands Meed’s PE lead Penny Gittins said the school has been attending for at least a decade, bringing 50 pupils this year.

“It is a fantastic chance to celebrate what they can do,” she said. “They can overcome any challenges. Every year, they surprise us. There was such camaraderie between the schools — it is a highlight of my academic year.”

Inspiring the next generation

The event was opened – and later closed – by England Disability Cricketer Alfie Pyle, returning for his second year as VIP guest after recently returning from India.

Alfie is an Everyone Active Sporting Champion – a programme for talented and elite local athletes helping them to reach their full potential.

“I just want the kids to grow up and see what I do in the background,” he said. “Hopefully they will be like me in the future – a pro footballer, cricketer, any sport they want.

“I want kids to grow and have fun. That is the best part, just have fun, and try your best. If it don’t go right, try again. If it goes wrong, try again, and that’s it.”

Celebrating everything good about physical activity

Active Sussex events officer, Ed Bartram, said: “The Parallel Youth Games is one of the highlights in our annual calendar. Everything that is good about physical activity is on show in one place – sporting talent, individual resilience, friendship and teamwork. It’s all there.

“It’s a huge team effort behind the scenes too. We’re fortunate to be joined by a number of fantastic local organisations each year, volunteers, young leaders, School Games Organisers and, of course, the Active Sussex team.

“K2 go above and beyond in hosting us, and the staff from participating schools are often teachers, coaches and minibus drivers rolled into one. We hugely appreciate everyone’s hard work to make it the great day that it is.”

Delivered by a county‑wide team

The Games were made possible thanks to:

• Sport Leads: Everyone Active, Active Sussex, Sussex Cricket Foundation, Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation, Jolf, Lewes Old Grammar School, School Games Organisers, Steven Hand (Crawley), Liz Price (South Downs)
• Young leaders: Lewes Old Grammar School, Oriel, Thomas Bennett
• Adult volunteers from multiple organisations, including Active Hastings and the boccia team from King Alfred Leisure Centre.
• Everyone Active and the K2 Crawley team

The Sussex Parallel Youth Games once again proved what can happen when opportunity, encouragement and joy come together – young people thrive.