MORE than 1,200 children from schools across the county are set to come together to take part in a day of sport next Wednesday.

The Herefordshire Summer Sainsbury’s School Games will take place across two sites at Hereford Leisure Centre and the Hereford Cathedral School’s Wyeside playing field.

The children – ranging in age from seven to 14 – will go head-to-head in their own mini Olympics, battling it out for the title of Herefordshire School Games Champion in 11 different sports.

Peter Knight, school games organiser and event manger, said: “The young people are looking forward to fantastic day of sporting competition.

"Many have been preparing for this event for a long time and we look forward to celebrating all that is good in school sport in Herefordshire.”

The games will be supported by 100 volunteers, aged 14 to 19, who are currently receiving special training to run the event in a range of roles including team leaders, event support and officiating.

And special guests on the day will include Olympians Zac Purchase, GB Rower who won gold in Bejing and silver in London, and Alison Williamson – GB Archer, who won a bronze in Athens.

The youngsters will represent both their school and their district in the games, with the county divided into 11 clusters based on their high school area.

Sports will include inclusion athletics, boccia, cricket, mini football, gymnastics, trigolf, rounders, rugby, tennis and sportshall athletics with competitions taking place during the day.

The event has been organised by the Local Organising Committee and Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire, funded by Sport England and the Sports Partnership.

This year’s event will have a school games village that will inspire young people to have a go at a range of activities.

For more information call PE and sport development manager and school games organiser Peter Knight on 01432 376086 or email peterknight@pbes.org.uk