The scheme, which will replace the UK School Games, will get under way in May 2012 at the Olympic Park and is aiming to provide an opportunity to motivate and inspire millions of young people across the country to take part in more competitive sport.

Schools can start registering their interest in taking part from today.

In a joint letter to schools, Hunt and Coe say: "London 2012 is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity for all of us – we hope that these programmes will help you enable all the pupils at your school to feel they were part of it.

"Through the School Games you can make the inspiration of next year something that lasts for many generations of schoolchildren to come."

Unlike the UK School Games, which will be staged for the final time from September 1-4 in Sheffield later this year, the new event will see schools and their pupils compete at local level before going through to national finals in a pyramid structure that its predecessor did not have.

Designed across four levels, for both primary and secondary pupils, the new School Games will offer an opportunity for all young people to compete in intra-school, inter-school and regional competitions while athletes could go on to compete at a major national multi-sport event,

Supported by ParalympicsGB, the School Games are fully inclusive with a focus on encouraging participation in competitive sport across the spectrum of abilities and experience.

As an added incentive, schools can use their participation in the School Games to help qualify for London 2012 Ticketshare tickets with 100,000 tickets available for schools through the London 2012 Get Set Network.

Hunt outlined his plans for the new School Games last month in a speech at the Youth Sport Trust National Conference at the Telford International Centre.

"In the long term [the national finals for] this event will take place annually in September," he said.

"But next year we want to offer these young sports people the chance to compete in the brand new Olympic Park – even ahead of the athletes themselves.

"That's why the first national final will take place in May – precisely the moment when we can give your efforts the highest profile in the run up to the Opening Ceremony on July 27.

"By doing this we can create a direct link between the achievements of our most promising young athletes at the School Games and the achievements of Team GB in the Olympics and Paralympics and use their example to inspire all schoolchildren with the excitement and benefits of competitive sport.

"I look forward to working together to create a fantastic legacy for young people through the School Games."

Schools can register their interest from today by clicking here.

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