Loughborough University is delighted that it has been chosen to host the 2016 School Games National Finals after a competitive bidding process.

Loughborough beat competition from numerous other sporting cities to win the bid, following detailed consideration from an independent panel, Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust. The event brings together 1,600 of the UK’s best young athletes for four days of sporting competition and will take place 1-4 September 2016.

The Games have been a launch pad for many elite athletes. At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, 150 of the competitors previously took part in the School Games. Attending the 2015 event were alumni Dina Asher-Smith, Adam Peaty, Ellie Simmonds and Hannah Cockroft, who regularly trains in Loughborough, the home of British Athletics.

Hosting the School Games National Finals provides an ideal opportunity to develop pathways for future generations of elite sport, mirroring our very own values and ambition, and attracting the very best future talent to Loughborough.

The University’s extensive range of sports facilities allows us to accommodate the majority of sports in their dedicated sport specific venues, as we aim to create an Olympic-style environment that holistically combines all Games services on the University campus.

John Steele, Executive Director of Sport, commented:

“Loughborough is proud to deliver across the full spectrum of sport, from performance to participation and from coaching to volunteering. With this in mind, I am confident that our students, staff and volunteers will be part of delivering an unforgettable School Games experience for everyone involved. I speak on behalf of all of my colleagues at Loughborough in saying we are relishing the challenge of staging this iconic school sport event.”

Of the news, Vice Chancellor Professor Robert Allison said:

“With sport in our DNA here at Loughborough, we are proud to be named hosts of the next School Games. I have no doubt that everyone here at the University and our partners will seize the opportunity to host a truly memorable school sport event.”

Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive, Ali Oliver, added:

“The School Games give a true taste of high-level multi-sport competition to the UK’s best school-aged competitors. I have no doubt that Loughborough will continue the excellent reputation this event has now rightly gained.”