MORE than 1,000 youngsters became instant heroes on Saturday (Sept 8) in the county’s biggest sports day of the year – Devon Youth Games, hosted by West Devon Borough Council for the first time in Okehampton.

In a day full of outstanding performances from children from districts across Devon, nobody epitomised the spirit of the day more than 11-year-old William Carter from Tavistock.

The Community College schoolboy, taking part in the aquathlon – a mix of swimming and running - looked set for bronze, when the opponent in front of him became violently ill just yards from the line.

Young Will, who had been trailing his unlucky opponent, passed him and was awarded second place. But he sportingly handed the silver award to his opponent and settled for bronze instead.

His aquathlon team manager, Paul Chinn, said afterwards: “It was astonishing. As soon as Will crossed the line and was handed the second-place ticket, he stopped and said that he didn’t deserve it and it should go to the other lad instead.

“It was incredibly good spirited. Will instinctively knew that the placing wasn’t his and felt it was the right thing to do. He’s a good lad with a big heart.”

Tammy Messenger, West Devon Borough Council’s Sports Development Officer, who coordinated the games in the stunning surroundings of Okehampton’s Edwardian Simmons Park, said the schoolboy’s gesture summed up everything the event stood for.

She said: “It was an awesome thing to do, but it was typical of the way every child worked together to make the games an event they will never forget.”

She added: “I’m so proud of everybody who took part – the children, the team managers, the volunteers, the parents and every single person who helped to make it a success.”

Two trophies were up for grabs on the day, which was postponed in June due to waterlogged pitches. Teams battled for the overall local authority winning trophy and fair play trophy.

The overall winners were Plymouth, tied in second place were Teignbridge, Exeter and South Hams. Mid Devon, last year’s winners, were third, West Devon fourth, Torbay fifth and Torridge sixth.

In the fair play trophy, South Hams came first, Exeter second, West Devon third, Plymouth and Torbay tied for fourth, followed by Torridge, Mid Devon and Teignbridge.

The youngsters competed against each other in 11 different sports, representing their district area in teams. The new sport this year was gymnastics and the other activities were aquathlon (swimming/running), athletics, badminton, girls’ cricket, hockey, netball, street sports, tag rugby, tennis and volleyball.

Special guest was British Commonwealth Diving Champion Brooke Graddon, ranked 18th female in the world in her sport. Brooke held workshops throughout the day to pass on her expertise.

West Devon deputy mayor, Cllr Mandy Govier said: “The event is a great opportunity for Devon children to get involved in a big sporting arena. I spoke to competitors, coaches, volunteers and parents and everyone was delighted at how well organised it was. It wasn’t just the winners who enjoyed themselves, it was every child who took part and that was what this event was all about.

“Thanks must go to everyone involved, particularly our Sports Development Officer, Tammy Messenger, who played a key role in organising the event.”

Brooke Graddon, who is returning to full training after injury and is aiming for a spot on the Great Britain Olympic team next year, said: “I really enjoy days like this because it’s brilliant to see so many children getting involved in sport.

“If they had a good a day as I did, they must have enjoyed themselves.”

Sponsorship for the games came from DML, Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council.