Team Croydon were crowned London Champions 2012 after a thrilling final on June 14th, winning by the closest margin from reigning champions Newham. Over 1,250 disabled young people set out in 2011 in an attempt to reach the final. Five teams battled it out at Westway Sports Centre having qualified in one of the 20 regional competitions during 2012.

Croydon win the Trophy for the first time in 6 years

Jordan, multi-medal winner from Team Newham

GB Paralympians Helen Turner and Louise Sugden awarded the medals and Wendy Hartill, from the Croydon Team said, "It is fantastic that we have won the London championship for the first time since 2006. Our students performed incredibly well and are very proud of their success."

A long jumper leaps in to action at the Kent Final. More photo's from all 4 rounds are available in the Gallery section of our website.

Ashford retained their title as county champions in the Kent Final of the 2012 Panathlon Challenge! Over 100 disabled children competed in the final, held at Sevenoaks School.

Twenty Kent schools and over 250 children have been involved in this year's Challenge, which has been held in conjunction with Kent County Council's wider School Games programme.

Ashford, represented by the Wyvern and John Wallis Schools, were victorious in the new-age kurling and table cricket and finished second in athletics and polybat, as they chalked up an impressive 50 points out of 60. Full story here. 

Sunbury Manor School have been crowned Surrey champions. 

Over 60 children competed at our first Panathlon event at the Xcel Centre in Walton-on-Thames! Sunbury-on-Thames School took the title by earning an impressive 50 points from 60, including gold medals in the new-age kurling and athletics events.

Woodfield and West Hill, comprising pupils from schools in Redhill and Leatherhead, finished as runners up with 46, while The Abbey, Gosden House and Rodborough Schools finished third (38). Ridgeway and Portesbury Schools were fourth with 34 points.

Caroline Mackey, PE teacher at Rodborough School, said: "We have had a fantastic day with Panathlon. When we talk about an Olympic legacy, this is the type of event that it is all about!"

New Essex Champions - Team Tendring.

Team Tendring have been crowned 2012 Essex Panathlon Champions!

Tendring, comprising of pupils from Marketfield and Shorefield Schools, defeated 2011 champions Thurrock by the narrowest of margins at Braintree Sports Village, claiming victory in the last race of the day!

The final was part of Essex County Council's School Games and involved 100 disabled young people, from four teams which had qualified from previous rounds. "Panathlon was a fantastic experience for all our students. It is such a valuable and worthwhile competition." said Joanne Caley, a teacher from Marketfield school in Clacton who was helping to coach the Tendring team. 

Panathlon in Essex this year was funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation, who helped to support the Young Leaders programme. This enabled 12 students from Great Baddow School to be trained by Panathlon earlier in the year and they officiated in the final as sports officials.

Competitors at the Essex Final with Chrystall Nicoll  Essex Ambassador.

In addition to the ongoing support from Hilton London Stansted and London Stansted Airport, we are delighted to announce that Stansted Community Fund have awarded Panathlon £5,000 to develop new educational opportunities with our schools in Essex. This includes a Coaching Academy, Healthy Living and extracurricular educational opportunities. Thank you for all of your support!

UEL Research

The University of East London is conducting a research project into the Impact of Panathlon Challenge. The first stage is an on-line survey. If you wish to be involved and say anything (good or bad) then please take the survey here. It will take only 5 mins and will help us shape the future - thank you for your time. Further in depth questionnaires and interviews to follow in the autumn term. 

We are planning our next school year and have lots of dates arranged already. Details from james@panathlon.com and a full fixture list will be published when term starts in September.

Panathlon and Corporate Sponsors, the Woodland Group, invite you to the beautiful  Foxhills Golf and Spa Resort on 16th October. Please come and join us for a great day of Golf and help raise funds for Panathlon at the same time. More details - ashley@panathlon.com