Football Kicks Off!The Panathlon Challenge football competition is underway! Twenty Four London Boroughs are competing in competitions across the five county sports partnerships during February and March. Around 250 young people with Severe Learning Difficulties are competing, having also received coaching and free equipment prior to the competitions taking place. Pictured here is the winning under 16 team from Barking & Dagenham who beat Havering to gold medal place in their East London group. More details from the Football co-ordinator matthew@panathlon.com

Fixtures City Date Venue Competitors

London Central Weds 25th February Westway Sports Centre SLD Football Competition

London North Thurs 26th February Low Hall Sports Ground, Walthamstow SLD Football Competition

London West Tues 3rd March West London Academy SLD Football Competition

London South Weds 4th March Powerleague Croydon SLD Football Campetition

Merseyside Weds 4th March Greenbank Academy Primary Panathlon

London East (One) Mon 9th March Robert Clack School Panathlon Multi-Sports Day

Merseyside Weds 11th March Greenbank Academy Secondary Panathlon

London Central Mon 16th March Southfields Sports College Panathlon Multi-Sports Day

London North Thurs 19th March Hendon Leisure Centre Panathlon Multi-Sports Day

London West Mon 23rd March West London Academy Panathlon Multi-Sports Day

London South Wed 25th March Wescroft Leisure Centre Panathlon Multi-Sports Day

London East (Two) Tues 31st March Langdon Sports College Panathlon Multi-Sports Day

Plymouth Weds 1st April Marjons College Panathlon Challenge

Essex Thurs 23rd April Braintree College Panathlon Challenge

Kent East Weds 29th April Sittingbourne Community College Panathlon Challenge

Kent West Thurs 30th April The Malling School Panathlon Challenge

For more information on Panathlon Challenge, please see www.panathlon.com

Jack Petchey Outstanding Performance of the Year Award

Calling all London and Essex Panathlon Teams...... We are delighted to announce the creation of a new award, sponsored by the Jack Petchey Foundation to find the most outstanding achievement by a competitor in this years Panathlon Challenge. This could be for the most improved performance, best young coach or leader, or for perhaps demonstrating Fair Play in competition. Or anyother acheivement you feel merits rewarding. For an application form, please email ashley@panathlon.com The winners will be presented with a fabulous trophy and a coaching cheque for £250 at the London Panathlon Final on June 25th. Jack Petchey Foundation

Donate Online

You can now donate directly to the Panathlon Challenge Charity through the homepage of www.panathlon.com with "Justgiving." This ensures Panathlon can benefit from the Gift Aid tax relief. So for example, if you donated £10 to Panathlon, we would infact receive £12.50 due to the kind taxman!! Any donations most welcome and would go directly to helping disabled people enjoy more sport!! Thank you.

("Panathlon Challenge" 24/02/09)