The day the owls took on the tigers – and won

The Neighbourhood Games tournament is organised twice a year by Tower Hamlets Schools Sports Partnership and supported by Lloyd’s Community Programme.

Sporting chance

Keeping up with more than 600 seven to ten year olds racing around in blazing sunshine proved a real challenge for the 60 volunteers from the Corporation and Lloyd’s market – but one none of them would have missed. As well as refereeing and umpiring competitions including basketball, hockey and cricket, they also ran taster sessions in more unusual sports, including archery, skateboarding and ‘ultimate frisbee’.

Rupert Atkin, CEO of Talbot and member of Lloyd's Community Programme management board, volunteered with a group of colleagues from Talbot which included two Richmond players and Fraser Waters who played for London Wasps and England. They were joined by Peter Scrivener who also played for Wasps.

Rupert and his team were kept busy throughout the day. "We ran taster sessions for several groups of children – some of whom were nervous about the prospect of learning about rugby but everyone warmed to the high quality coaching,” he says.

“By the end, the children had all learned how to run and pass the ball properly. At times it seemed the coaches were having as much fun as the children, but hopefully we sowed some seeds of interest in the sport."

Access to opportunity

Like the children in many London boroughs, those in Tower Hamlets face barriers to taking part in out-of-school sports. Tower Hamlets Schools Sports Partnership, through their Stepping Stones Programme, aims to break them down by training local young people aged 16 -19 to set up and run mini clubs for primary schools in their area. It’s the local knowledge and understanding they bring to the role that has proved the key to delivering real results for children in their communities.

Natalie Tickle, from the Lloyd’s Community Programme team was there on the day. “It was great fun,” she says. “Our volunteers feel strongly that children should have the opportunity to try out new sports so we are delighted that we were able to support the Summer Neighbourhood Games.

“I’d like to thank everyone who volunteered and helped make this summer’s sports event such a great success.”

For more details of how you can get involved in events supported by Lloyd’s Community Programme get in touch with Natalie.tickle@lloyds.com