A new sport – hockey – will also join the eight which were part of the programme in 2007 as the best youngsters of school age will again compete for medals.

 

Details of the event, which will be the first in the London Olympiad following the end of the Beijing Olympics, were announced at a press conference in Bath today, where Olympic gold medallist Jason Gardener was joined by young fencer Sophie Williams, also from the South West, who has won double gold at both previous UK School Games.

 

A record 1,500 children will compete in the 2008 UK School Games which will be held at four venues around the city from August 28 to 31 and will replicate a major adult multi-sport competition with an opening and closing ceremony plus an athlete’s village.

 

Alongside the new sport, competition will take place in badminton, judo, volleyball, athletics, fencing, gymnastics, swimming and table tennis, with disability events in athletics, swimming and table tennis also included.

 

Selection by governing bodies will take place over the next few months, with the very best of youth sport competing at the first class venues across the region, which were also unveiled today.

 

The event promises to be even bigger and better than the previous two years hosted in Glasgow and Coventry in 2006 and 2007.

 

New developments this year from the event organisers, the Youth Sport Trust, include the development of a school supporters programme to get local schools involved in the Games, the work with Mencap and the governing bodies of particular sports to develop clear pathways into the competition for athletes with learning disabilities and additional use of young officials during the event.

 

This year the UK School Games will be complemented by an exciting community sport and cultural programme.

 

Hundreds of school aged children across the region will take part in festivals of sport and in Bristol's harbourside there will be a dazzling showcase of urban sport from August 30-31 combining demonstrations and workshops from renowned skateboarders, aerial performers, trial bikers and climbers.

 

Bath and North East Somerset Council will also be hosting a GET ACTIVE weekend to coincide with the UK School Games.

 

Local people will have the opportunity to participate in a range of taster sessions in a whole host of sports and activities through open days/sessions at local sports clubs, sport and leisure centres and coaching sessions at local venues through out Bath and North East Somerset

 

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has awarded £6 million to the Youth Sport Trust through Legacy Trust UK, to develop the UK School Games in Bristol and Bath in 2008 and each year until 2011. 

 

The venues for 2008 will be:

• The University of Bath campus will host the athletics, volleyball, table tennis and fencing competitions.
• The University of the West of England (UWE) will be the venue for badminton and hockey.
• Millfield School will host the swimming event.
• Filton College will host the gymnastics and judo competitions.

 

Gardener, a member of Britain's gold-medal winning 4x100 metres relay team in the 2004 Athens Olympics, said: “I am proud that the UK School Games will be held in my home region in 2008 and I’m looking forward to what will be a hugely successful event.

 

"It represents a fantastic opportunity for the best young competitors to gain invaluable experience of future multi-sport competitions and I hope all those welcomed to Bristol and Bath in August will seize the opportunity to compete to the very best of their ability in fair and good-spirited competition.

 

"I don’t think you can under-estimate the importance in getting used to this kind of event from an early age and the boost it can give you to go on and excel in future international competition.”

 

Williams, from Winsley in Wiltshire, said: “I am really excited by having the 2008 UK School Games so close to where I train and live.

 

"It is a fantastic event and I’m hoping that this year will be just as good, if not better, than the previous events in Glasgow and Coventry.

 

"I had an absolutely great time in 2006 and 2007 and of course it was brilliant to win gold medals at both Games –something I will be aiming for again this year.

 

"The competition will be really tough, but I know that all the athletes will be here to do their very best and learn a huge amount for future competition.”

 

Steve Grainger, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said:  "The Youth Sport Trust was delighted with the success of the UK School Games in Coventry last year and we are looking forward to raising the bar even higher in Bristol and Bath this summer.

 

“The UK School Games is an inspirational and motivational event which is already helping to transform the competitive opportunities for school age children.

 

"Once again we are moving the event forward and will give even more young competitors and volunteers the chance to experience this fantastic four-day celebration of the UK’s young sporting talent.”

 

Dugald Mackie, Chair of the Legacy Trust UK, said:  “Legacy Trust UK is delighted to support the UK School Games which has already become an important  annual event in the sporting calendar for school-aged athletes.

 

"It is an aspirational event which will also help to motivate others on a regional and local level.

 

"Our four year commitment represents a significant part of Legacy Trust UK’s funding programme which aims to promote sport and culture among young people and communities in the build up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

 

Rosalie Walker, Bristol's executive member for health and leisure, said:  "This will be a fantastic event for the whole region, combining sporting excellence with an exciting community sport and cultural programme.

 

"The UK School Games gives our young school-aged elite athletes the opportunity to compete against the very best in their sport, whilst experiencing the 'feel' of a major sporting event like the Olympics, with opening and closing ceremonies and athlete's villages.

 

"I hope it will inspire young people across the region to increase their own participation in sport.”

 

Charles Gerrish, Cabinet member for customer Services, Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is delighted to welcome this event to our region.

 

"The UK School Games will provide some of the country’s most talented young athletes with an opportunity to take part in an event that will give them an experience about what top-level competitions are really like.

 

“The Games will also inspire young people from the local area and across the country to get involved in sports and fitness.

 

"I hope the competitors, their supporters and families will also take an opportunity during their stay to enjoy exploring the many excellent attractions on offer in the local area.”

 

Guy Lavender, South West director for the 2012 Games, said:  "The South West of England Regional Development Agency is delighted to be supporting the 2008 School Games in Bristol and Bath.

 

"As we build momentum in the region towards hosting the sailing at the London 2012 Games, it is fantastic to hold such a prestigious event involving more than 1,500 athletes.

 

"The School Games underlines our 2012 legacy commitment to bring major sporting events to the region in the run-up to 2012 and to give people the opportunity to participate in activities across the South West.

 

"We wish all participants every success in what is sure to be a great event."