On the eve of Tokyo 2020, Tooting is preparing to celebrate a hero of the Antwerp Games a century earlier - champion middle-distance runner Albert Hill.

Hill, who took gold at the 1920 Olympics, was born and raised in Tooting. A blue plaque commemorating his outstanding achievements is now set to be erected outside his former home.

The plaque was funded through community donations, and is the result of the tireless efforts of the students of Fircroft Primary School, who campaigned for its creation. 

Local historian Geoff Simmons said, “It’s great that Great Britain’s Olympic past is being honoured, but its future is under threat. Tooting Bec Athletics Track, home to the historic athletics club Herne Hill Harriers, and used by 80,000 young people every year, has been ruled unfit for competition and is in need of repair.”

Click here to sign the petition calling on Wandsworth Tories to fund vital repairs to Tooting Track.

On Sunday I had the great honour of presenting the medals and winners’ trophy to the Sinjun Grammarians under 12s cricket team - 2021 champions of the Surrey Tier Three League.

Masterfully managed by Mukesh Dev, and captained with distinction by Rufus Ford, the team’s achievement is all the more remarkable on account of the club’s small size – with a membership of just over 50 junior players, Sinjun Grammarians rarely have enough players in the same age group to enter into league competitions. Their success is also astounding for the fact that the playing group, who were experiencing league competition for the first time, marched to the title unbeaten in all their 10 games.

I could not be more proud of this group of talented young athletes, not only for overcoming the odds and taking the title so convincingly, but for the focus, determination, sportsmanship, and teamwork they showed along the way. This is what Tooting is all about: the players are truly a credit to themselves, their families, their club, and our community.
​
I was absolutely bowled over by the Club’s decision to award me the title of Honorary President of Sinjun Grammarians Cricket Club. This success is undoubtedly the first of many such achievements for this passionate group of young cricketers, and I look forward to celebrating with them again in coming seasons. Well done, team!

The future of Tooting Bec Athletics Track is still yet to be secured, with vital repairs still needing to be undertaken.

Tooting Bec Athletics Track is a much-loved and well-utilised facility, both by local residents and the wider London community. The track is a home to schools, clubs such as Herne Hill Harriers, as well as aspiring athletes. To lose such a valuable asset would be a devastating blow to so many of our young people in our local area.

Top British athletes are made at Tooting Bec Athletics Track - Jade Johnson, who represented Great Britain at two Olympics, trained at the track since childhood, as has Katie Snowden, who will represent Great Britain in Tokyo next month.

By allowing the track to fall into disrepair, Wandsworth Tories are destroying the legacy of London 2012, and seriously damaging the chances of our next generation of Olympic hopefuls in the process.

The deadline for the petition to save Tooting Bec Athletics Track has been extended until 1 August – click here to sign and show Wandsworth Tories how much our community cares about the future of our young people.