The second preliminary round of the 2009 London Panathlon Challenge inter borough school sports competition for disabled athletes, held on Monday 16 March at Southfields Community College, Merton Road, SW18, was won handsomely by the home team, Wandsworth. They beat teams from rival boroughs Islington, Westminster and Lambeth, to earn a place in the All London final in June.

In a splendid day of sporting competition, all 4 teams played their part in making it a huge success. The sports were Boccia, New Age Kurling, Polybat, Table Cricket and Flat and Field Athletics. The team from Wandsworth won 5 of the 7 events outright which accounted for their high total. They now move forward to the All London final with a lot of confidence.

The event was generously funded by the Football Foundation, the Jack Petchey Foundation, and 95.8 Capital FM’s Help a London Child initiative.

Rich Horsnell, Grants Manager from 95.8 Capital FM’s Help a London Child said: ”Help a London Child is proud to help fund PRO ACTIVE Central’s support of the Panathlon Challenge. We’re delighted to have been able to give the capital’s young disabled people the chance to take part in regular coaching sessions ahead of the Central London finals, and we hope everyone enjoys today’s competition. Help a London Child remains committed to giving sporting opportunities to London’s children by funding activities like Panathlon through our Free Sport for All programme.”

Ashley Iceton, the event’s Administrator, said “ We certainly saw a competitive Panathlon today, conducted throughout with fair play and in the right spirit..Credit to all teams for making this happen, and special congratulations to Wandsworth for winning in such style and reaching the London final.”