Lewisham, UK – The Personal Best Foundation (PBF) proudly launched its inaugural Personal Best Community Athletics Hub in partnership with Sporting Way CIC at Grove Park Youth Club, Chinbrook, Lewisham, on Wednesday (October 9), in the company of Olympic medal-winner Alex Haydock-Wilson. This exciting event was attended by more than 20 children, aged 7 to 11, marking a significant milestone in Personal Best Foundation and Sporting Way CIC’s joint mission to provide accessible and inclusive athletics opportunities for children in their local communities.
The launch was made possible by £8,250 raised by Eltham College students earlier this year supporting the Personal Best Foundation’s mission to provide athletics opportunities to children in underserved communities. Their remarkable fundraising efforts included running a relay of almost 700 miles earlier this year from Paris to St. Andrews, Scotland, to mark the centenary of the Paris 1924 Olympic gold won by former Eltham College student Eric Liddell, whose story inspired the film ‘Chariots of Fire’.
"We are incredibly excited to launch the very first Personal Best Community Athletics Hub here at Grove Park Youth Centre," said Amy Weaver-Tyler, Foundation Manager at PBF. "This initiative truly reflects the power of collaboration—our fantastic partnership with Sporting Way, the unwavering commitment of Eltham College students, and the collective passion for making a difference in the lives of young people. Thanks to these combined efforts, we’ve turned our vision into a reality, building on last year’s successful school pilot. We are excited to offer children the chance to stay active, engaged, and supported through sustained weekly sessions. Together, we are shaping a brighter, healthier future for young people in Lewisham.”
During the event, the children were joined by six of the fundraising students from Eltham College. Together, they participated in athletics-based activities designed by their coaches, Daniel and Adam. The activities included a fun and dynamic game called "Bulldodge"—a lively mix of Bulldog and Dodgeball that quickly became a favourite. The children and students also teamed up for an Olympic-style obstacle course, featuring hurdles, cone drills, star jumps, bean bag tosses, and wall throws. This relay-style format fostered teamwork and camaraderie among all of the participants.
“It was so fulfilling to see so many children enjoy themselves and be part of such a great initiative, that is the first of many,” said Rex, a Year 13 Eltham college student who was involved in the 700-mile relay. “The feeling of community and togetherness and just participating in the activities with the kids was a joy. We felt a huge sense of satisfaction to see our hard work manifest in the way it did today. We are very grateful to be a part of it,” added fellow student and runner, Hugo.
Bradley Pritchard, Founder of Sporting Way CIC, expressed his enthusiasm for the event:
“Today was a long time in the making, and none of it would have been possible without Personal Best Foundation, Eltham College, and the generosity of everyone involved. This is a huge step for the community. We’re at the beginning of something really special. Our goal is simple: to give young people opportunities in athletics and show them that the only limit they face is their own determination. We hope this hub is just the start—our vision is to expand across Lewisham, the South-East, and eventually nationwide.”
Adding to the excitement, Olympian Alex Haydock-Wilson, who won two bronze medals in Paris this summer, not only attended the event but actively participated in the games. Growing up in Lewisham himself, Alex expressed his pride in being part of the hub's launch and highlighted the life-changing power of athletics for young people.
"I’m so grateful to be involved in today’s event, especially here in Lewisham, where I grew up," said Alex. "It’s an honour to give back to the community and witness first-hand how much joy sport can bring. Watching the kids today reminded me of my own journey, and I hope this experience inspires them to keep pursuing their passion for staying active.”
The Personal Best Community Athletics Hub introduces children to athletics through fun, engaging activities designed to help them set personal goals, build self-confidence, and most importantly, enjoy themselves. Through the hub, children will participate in ‘funetics’, a fun and inclusive athletics programme created by England Athletics that helps children aged 4 to 11 learn, develop, and practice essential running, jumping, and throwing skills all year round. This launch is not just an extension of the successful pilot—it symbolises a lasting commitment to empowering young people through the joy and opportunity that athletics provides.
Sporting Way CIC is a non-profit organisation dedicated to using sport and play to engage with children and young people. They support emotional wellbeing interventions, employability programmes, and afterschool provisions, helping young people thrive in their communities.