The Town Hall declared Islington Boat Club must vacate its historic site 

• I TRAVELLED to the Lee Valley last summer, for the London Youth Games.

I wasn’t competing, but I went along to support the Islington borough team and meet other young people who shared a passion for kayaking.

It was thrilling to witness the stunning feats and achievements of my friends, and inspiring to see so many people my age competing for the prizes.

Standing on the 2012 Olympic podium, I promised myself I would represent Islington next time in the Youth Games.

I was determined to train tirelessly, no matter the weather, no matter the challenges, and be able to stand on that podium with a medal around my neck.

Unfortunately I returned from my summer holidays to find the gates of the boat club locked, and the kayaks I had spent so many years in, empty.

Then I found out that the council had been forming plans to close down our beloved boat club. You can imagine the despair I felt on discovering this terrible news.

And yet my drive to fulfil my goals and my love for kayaking have kept me full of hope that, soon, the boat club will reopen its doors and once again be bustling with paddlers young and old, familiar and new, experienced and beginners, all there to work hard and play hard.

AGGIE, age 15
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