The UK School Games is a multi-sport event for the most talented young people in the country of school age.
The UK School Games seeks to create an inspirational and motivational setting which will encourage more young people to take part in sport.
Athletes in 2007 will be competing in Athletics, Badminton, Fencing, Gymnastics, Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball.
Each of the eight sports will be combined into a four-day Games environment designed to replicate the feel of major event such as the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games
Six key themes have been created to ensure the UK School Games bring about systematic change in the way in which competitive opportunities are developed for young people and that a lasting legacy is created.
The UK School Games visions are:
- Ongoing planning and delivery of a UK level sports event showcasing talented young sports people.
- To bring about a step change in the content, structure and presentation of competitive sporting opportunities for young people.
- Use the event itself, and themed branding of local and regional competitions, to raise the profile of school age competitions and the young people taking part, to promote the work undertaken in each nation to improve P.E. and school sport.
- Integrate Olympic and Paralympic themes into the UK School Games by ensuring that the Olympic and Paralympic values are promoted through volunteer training, opening and closing ceremonies and an athlete village.
- Create opportunities for young people to become engaged in volunteering at major sports events both as technical officials and event volunteers.
- Ensure the event advocates and demonstrates the highest level of child protection and welfare systems.
Each sports representative Governing Body, working in partnership with their school association, uses the Games as a catalyst to review and modernise their competitive structures for young people in sport. Selection to compete in the UK School Games is carried out by the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport.
The UK School Games will take place on an annual basis up to 2011.
The Games will take place in the following cities from 2008-11.
- the West of England (Bath and Bristol) in 2008;
- Wales (Cardiff, Swansea and Newport) in 2009;
- Tyne and Wear (Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland) in 2010 and
- Sheffield in 2011.