The School Games in Suffolk will see a year-long celebration of sports competitions in schools, involving all young people in years 3 to 13, of all abilities and backgrounds, culminating in a county festival of sport on 6th July 2012 in Bury St Edmunds.

Geoff Barton, Head teacher at King Edward VI School and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the School Games in Suffolk said:

“What could be more appropriate in this Olympic year than a festival of sport across all the schools in Suffolk?"

"It will culminate in a day of lively sporting competition, plus displays of music, art and dance to showcase the many talents of our Suffolk young people. There's no doubt it's going to be a day to remember.“

Suffolk Sport, the County Sports Partnership for Suffolk is delivering the School Games in partnership with schools, Sport England, the Youth Sports Trust and Suffolk County Council to help ensure a lasting sporting legacy for young people beyond London 2012. Sport England has invested £4 million of National Lottery funding into organising festivals of sport across the UK, with the aim of inspiring a generation of young people to take part in sport.

Bill Tancred MBE, Chairman of Suffolk Sport said “ I am delighted that Suffolk Sport is involved in the delivery of the Suffolk School Games. My own personal journey to competing at the Olympics started with school sport and it is fantastic that we can provide competitive sport opportunities for every school pupil in Suffolk no matter what their ability.“

The festival event on the 6th July will bring together young competitors and volunteers from across the county, to take part in the finale of an on-going programme of intra and inter-schools competitions and finals. The festival itself will be made up of 9 sports, including athletics, cricket, golf, gymnastics, cheerleading, swimming, tennis, boccia and panathlon.

The official launch of the Suffolk School Games took place at the County SportsHall Athletics finals at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre in Stowmarket today, and included a celebration style opening to the afternoon’s competition with music from the King Edward VI school in Bury St Edmunds.

For further information visit www.suffolkschoolgames.com.