19 Jul 2016

First details of 2016 School Games at Loughborough University revealed

1,600 athletes from across the UK will compete across 12 sports, seven of which include disability disciplines, at the four-day spectacular which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

The event, that aims to replicate the experience of a major sporting event like an Olympic or Paralympic Games, will have spectacular opening and closing ceremonies, an athletes’ village and a full education programme that gives the competing athletes a unique insight into the world of elite sport.

The Games have provided a springboard for many of today’s biggest names in sport. Previous competitors include Paralympic gold medallists Ellie Simmonds, Hannah Cockroft and Jonnie Peacock along with GB sprinter Adam Gemili, heptathlete Katrina Johnson-Thompson, and Olympic gymnast Sam Oldham. Peacock, Gemili and Oldham have all now chosen Loughborough University as their training base.

Loughborough University will host 11 of the sports at the 2016 School Games as well as providing an Olympic style athletes’ village, which will give competitors a real flavour of a major multi-sport event.

The confirmed sports and ceremonies that will take place at the 2016 School Games are as follows:

Sport

Venue

Competition dates

Opening Ceremony

Shirley Pearce Square, Loughborough University

September 1

Athletics

Paula Radcliffe Athletics Track

September 2

Cycling

Loughborough University Campus & nearby roads

September 2,3 & 4

Fencing

National Cricket Performance Centre

September 2,3 & 4

Gymnastics

Loughborough Sport Tennis Centre

September 3 & 4

Hockey

Loughborough University Hockey Pitches

September 1,2,3 & 4

Judo

New Victory Hall

September 2,3 & 4

Rugby Sevens

Loughborough University 1st XV pitch

September 2,3 & 4

Swimming*

Ponds Forge, Sheffield

September 3

Table Tennis

Loughborough Sport Tennis Centre

September 2,3 & 4

Volleyball

Sir David Wallace Sports Centre

September 1,2,3 & 4

Wheelchair Basketball

Loughborough Netball Centre

September 2,3 & 4

Wheelchair Tennis

Loughborough Sport Tennis Centre

September 2,3 & 4

Closing Ceremony

Shirley Pearce Square

September 4

 

Alongside the 1,600 elite young athletes at the event this year, there will be over 400 volunteers supporting the venues, many of which will be young people. There will also be a young media team covering all aspects of the games and a Talent Inspiration Programme which aims to engage young people who have ambitions of competing at the event in the future.

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: 

"The 2016 School Games finals are a fantastic event that gives young sporting talent from across the UK the chance to compete on a major stage, giving them invaluable experience for the future. On top of that the Games also promote volunteering with hundreds of young people due to be involved to help support the hosting of the finals in Loughborough. I am sure it will be a fantastic four days of competition."

Ali Oliver, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, added:

“It is extremely exciting to bring the 2016 School Games to Loughborough which is set to be a spectacular experience for the 1,600 athletes and will showcase the breadth of young sporting talent we have in the UK. Loughborough University has such a strong history and reputation for research, PE teacher education, post and under graduate study and will provide the perfect setting for the Games.”

Sport England’s Director of Community Sport, Mike Diaper, said;

“Loughborough University is a fantastic venue to host this year’s School Games final. Steeped in sporting history, its impressive facilities will make this year’s the games the best ever. While it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of British youth talent, it’s important to remind all athletes, that win, lose or draw,  when it comes to being active what matters most is that you are trying your best while having some fun too.”

John Steele, Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University, added: 

“We are delighted to welcome the best young sporting talent in the UK to Loughborough in September. Given our proud history of sporting excellence we are confident that we will put on the best School Games to date, which will not only be an amazing experience for all involved, but also prepare Olympic and Paralympic athletes of the future.”

The School Games is set across four levels with the Loughborough event providing the national platform of sporting competition. Across the year young people compete in a range of sport at class-v-class, school-v-school and in county-wide sport festivals as part of the Games.

Tickets for the 2016 School Games are now on sale for all twelve sports. To book tickets visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/2016schoolgames or visit www.2016schoolgames.com.