Lambeth Nets Two Bronzes at London Youth Games 2026; South London 2026

Key Points

• Team Lambeth secured two bronze medals at the London Youth Games 2026, one in netball and one in indoor rowing.
• In netball, Lambeth came joint third with Wandsworth out of 24 London boroughs, losing to Redbridge (silver) and Hammersmith & Fulham (gold).
• Team manager Sharron Lewis-Burke said the competition builds friendships, resilience and learning among state and private school pupils.
• In indoor rowing, Lambeth finished third behind Hackney and Harringey, competing alongside 165 youngsters from 11 boroughs in individual and relay races.
• The netball result marks Lambeth’s second consecutive year on the podium at the London Youth Games.
• Gabriel Stewart reported the story for London Youth Games coverage, highlighting both awards and team comments.

Lambeth (South London News) July 8, 2026 –Team Lambeth have brought home two bronze medals from the London Youth Games 2026 after coming third in netball and indoor rowing, writes Gabriel Stewart.

The victories add to the borough’s growing profile in youth sport and mark a second year in a row in which Lambeth has finished on the podium in at least one London Youth Games discipline.

How did Lambeth perform in the netball competition?

The Lambeth netball team competed amongst 24 London boroughs to make it onto the podium last month. The youth team came joint third with Wandsworth after losing out to Redbridge and Hammersmith & Fulham, who won silver and gold respectively.

As reported by Gabriel Stewart, the netball squad travelled to the Games last month and faced a tightly contested tournament across the capital.

Every match contributed to the final standings, with Lambeth finishing level on position with Wandsworth after both boroughs were unable to edge past the top two in the final stages of the competition.

What did the Lambeth netball team manager say about the result?

Sharron Lewis-Burke, Lambeth Netball Team Manager, said:

“I’m really proud. This whole competition is so good for our girls because it brings about friendships, resilience and learning.”

“It’s just been amazing. To bring state schools and private schools together in our team and get the chance to play at a high level means a lot to us.

To get another medal for the second year in a row is so good for our borough,” she added, according to Stewart’s report.

How did Lambeth fare in the indoor rowing event?

Team Lambeth also came in third, behind Hackney and Harringey, in the indoor rowing competition on the same day.

They competed amongst 165 youngsters representing 11 different London boroughs in individual and relay races on rowing machines.

Gabriel Stewart notes that the indoor rowing event is one of the largest participation competitions at the London Youth Games, with a high volume of athletes and a mix of individual and team formats.

Lambeth’s third-place finish reflects both endurance and tactical pacing across the relay components, as well as strong personal performances in the individual races.

Why is this achievement significant for Lambeth youth sport?

The dual bronze medals underline Lambeth’s continued investment in school-based and community youth sport pathways.

After finishing on the podium in netball last year, the borough has now secured a second consecutive medal in the same discipline, while also adding a third-place finish in indoor rowing.

For young athletes across Lambeth, the London Youth Games represents one of the highest-profile inter-borough competitions in the capital.

Success in events like netball and indoor rowing can help participants develop competitive experience, teamwork and confidence that may translate into further sport involvement at school, club or even regional levels.

Which London boroughs finished ahead of Lambeth?

In netball, the two boroughs that finished ahead of Lambeth were:

• Hammersmith & Fulham – gold
• Redbridge – silver
• Lambeth and Wandsworth – joint third (bronze)

In indoor rowing, the top two were:

• Hackney – gold
• Harringey – silver
• Lambeth – third (bronze)

These results are as reported by Gabriel Stewart, who covered both competitions for the official London Youth Games reporting.

How many teams and athletes participated?

The netball competition included 24 London boroughs, while the indoor rowing event saw 165 youngsters from 11 boroughs take part in individual and relay races.

The scale of participation highlights the breadth of youth sport across London and the competitive nature of the London Youth Games as an inter-borough tournament.

Background to the Development

The London Youth Games is an annual multi-sport event designed to bring young people from different London boroughs together in a competitive but supportive environment.

It traditionally features a range of sports, including netball, indoor rowing, football, athletics and more, with participation often involving school teams, community clubs and mixed-state and private school squads.

Team Lambeth’s recent success reflects a broader trend in which south London boroughs have been strengthening their youth sport structures.

The netball team’s composition, which includes pupils from both state and private schools, points to a deliberate approach to inclusivity and talent development across different educational settings.

Similarly, the indoor rowing result shows that Lambeth is investing in facilities and coaching that enable young athletes to compete in technical, endurance-based disciplines.

Gabriel Stewart’s reporting of the medals highlights not only the competitive outcome but also the educational and social value of the Games, as emphasised by Sharron Lewis-Burke.

The emphasis on friendships, resilience and learning aligns with the wider aims of the London Youth Games to use sport as a tool for personal development and community cohesion across the capital.

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Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Lambeth Young People and Communities

The dual bronze medals at the London Youth Games 2026 are likely to have several practical effects on young people and communities in Lambeth:

• Increased participation in school and community sport – Success at a high-profile event often encourages more pupils to join netball clubs, indoor rowing programmes and other London Youth Games disciplines. Schools and community organisations may see increased demand for trials and training sessions.
• Strengthened sport pathways – Coaches and managers may use the medals as evidence of the effectiveness of current training models, potentially leading to expanded support for talent development, extra coaching hours, and more targeted preparation for future London Youth Games editions.
• Greater visibility for Lambeth youth sport – Repeated podium finishes can improve the borough’s reputation among local authorities, sponsors and partner organisations, which may lead to additional funding, better equipment, or more venues for training and competition.
• Social and educational benefits for participants – As Sharron Lewis-Burke noted, the competition fosters friendships, resilience and learning. Continued involvement in events like the London Youth Games can contribute to improved teamwork, confidence and motivation among young people, which may support broader educational and personal outcomes.
• Community cohesion across school types – The mixed state and private school team structure in netball suggests a model that can be replicated in other sports. If this approach continues, it may help reduce barriers between different educational communities and encourage a more inclusive local sport culture in Lambeth.

Overall, while the medals themselves are a one-time achievement, the momentum they create is likely to influence future participation, investment and community attitudes toward youth sport in Lambeth over the coming years.