Merton team leader Corinne Garrod might be a relative newcomer to her Balfour Beatty London Youth Games role – but insists she’s seen more than enough evidence to know they will be competitive this summer.

Garrod, Merton Council’s Leisure Development Officer, will lead the borough, one of 33, at the finals day in July as they bid to bounce back from finishing bottom of the pile last year.

Despite finishing second overall in the sailing competition and bagging top five finishes in the diving and kayak slalom competitions their tally of 513 points wasn’t enough to put them in contention, but Garrod expexcts much better this time around.

“It’s been very busy since I took over with lots of deadlines and things but I have enjoyed the role so far and I am sure we will do well this year,” said Garrod.

“We are not struggling for competitors. We have had lots of interest and everyone is really keen to be playing and involved and that is what it is all about really.

“I went to the cricket the other day to watch our team and there was a great atmosphere and everyone was working really hard and I’m sure that will happen all summer and we’ll do well.”

Merton’s tough time last year suggests they will face an uphill battle to be challenging the top boroughs such as Bromley – who claimed the Jubilee Trophy as overall winners last year.

Garrod added: “I have always lived in the borough and went to school in Merton so it’s great to be working with the team this year and hopefully all the competitors can have a good year,” she added. “It’s a great event and gets a lot of kids out and playing sport.”

* Balfour Beatty is committed to helping raise the aspirations, motivation and attainment levels of young people in the communities in which it operates and has committed over £2million to help develop the London Youth Games until 2013.