MORE THAN 1500 young athletes representing 113 schools will take part in the Wiltshire and Swindon School Games at Marlborough College next Wednesday (July 4).

Great Britain's 2006 Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medalist Mara Yamauchi will help launch the day-long extravaganza, run by Wiltshire & Swindon Sport (WASP) at which more than 200 young volunteers will also participate.

Yamauchi, the second fastest British women in the marathon behind Paula Radcliffe, will speak at the opening ceremony of the event, which comprises 13 sports as the culmination of a year-round school sports competition programme supported by the National Lottery and Sport England.

1968 Olympic 400m hurdles gold medalist David Hemery CBE, who lives just outside Marlborough and is Wiltshire's Deputy Lieutenant, will also attend the Games, along with the mayor of Marlborough Lisa Farrell, Swindon mayor Junab Ali

Young Leaders from many secondary schools will support officials from Wilts ASA, RFU, LTA, Golf Foundation, Quadkids, as well as volunteers from county associations and local clubs at the Games.

New sports such as seated volleyball, cricket and dodgeball will be among the activities, while an athletes' village area includes activities for those not competing and opportunities to try ‘taster’ sports.

A Change4Life fun festival will also allow small groups of Year Three and Four age children to experience the School Games first hand.

WASP CEO Steve Boocock said: “The School Games are an opportunity to motivate and inspire young people across Wiltshire and Swindon to take part in more competitive school sport and a chance to develop their sporting abilities.

"We want to encourage even more young people to get active and this is a great way to nurture new talent and build that lifelong love of sport."

School Games Co-ordinator, Alma Borthwick added: “The event gets better every year with more schools taking part not only in the sports competitions, but we also train over 200 young leaders and pupils can enter the cultural competitions.”

NEWS & PICTURES FROM THE WILTSHIRE SCHOOL GAMES LATER THIS WEEK