The UK School Games were launched in 2006 by then Sports Minister Richard Caborn - who is now President of the event - but are set to be replaced next year by the new School Games which will be inaugurated in May 2012 in the Olympic Park, two months ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

The new School Games will see pupils compete at local level before going through to national finals in a pyramid structure that its predecessor does not have.

The final UK School Games in Sheffield will see 1,600 elite school-aged athletes compete across 12 sports from September 1 until 4, with the event, delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, designed to replicate a major championships with Opening and Closing Ceremonies and an Athletes' Village.

Drinkhall, a former UK School Games participant who won two gold medals and two silver medals at the English National Championships held last month, said: "The Sainsbury's UK School Games is a great experience for talented young athletes as it provides a unique multi-sport event on a national scale.

Hunter-Spivey, another former UK School Games participant who recently won a place in the prestigious British Table Tennis Disabled World Class Performance Squad 2011, added: "I think the Sainsbury's UK School Games is a great opportunity to showcase the talents of young up-and-coming British athletes."

The UK School Games have been funded since 2008 with a £6 million ($10 million) grant from Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Youth Sport Trust is currently searching for a new chief executive after Steve Grainger left for a senior role at the Rugby Football Union (RFU), but the 2011 Sainsbury's UK School Games will be the biggest ever and through £750,000 of additional National Lottery funding provided this year by Sport England, two new sports - wheelchair basketball and women's rugby sevens - will be included in Sheffield.

The programme now includes cycling, athletics, badminton, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, judo, swimming, table tennis and volleyball with disability events in swimming, athletics and table tennis.

Director of Sport at the Youth Sport Trust, Ali Oliver, said: "The Sainsbury's UK School Games have grown year-on-year, with more sports, more spectators and more competitors helping to make it an incredible experience for everyone involved, not just the UK's most talented young athletes taking part.

"This year's 2011 Games in Sheffield promise to be the biggest and most exciting yet and what better city to host four days of inspirational sport."

Alan Ormrod, Sainsbury's Regional Operational Manager said: "Sainsbury's is proud to be sponsoring the UK School Games for the second year running and keen to repeat the success of last year.

"As an organisation we have always been committed to promoting a healthier, active lifestyle for all, regardless of age or ability."

Caborn added: "I am delighted to see that the Sainsbury's UK School Games is coming to my home city of Sheffield.

"Having attended this event on many occasions I know that we are in for a treat and will witness some of the very best young people taking part at the very high level of sport."

Some of the best venues in the City will host the sports including the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Don Valley Stadium, iceSheffield and the Motorpoint Arena.

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