Competing at the London 2012 Olympic Games is an experience I will never forget.

Those few weeks playing for the Team GB women's hockey side at the magnificent Riverbank Arena on the Olympic Park were truly magical and thinking about that home crowd cheering us on still gives me goosebumps.

After the disappointment of narrowly losing to Argentina 2-1 in the semi-final, it was an amazing feeling to defeat New Zealand 3-1 in the bronze medal match and receive that very special souvenir from the greatest show on earth.

One of the best things about London 2012 is seeing how many people in the UK, especially young people, have taken up sport as a result of the Olympic and Paralympics Games.

As one Sport England's Sporting Champions, one of my roles now is to meet with young people and young adults to inspire them and motivate them.

I have the perfect opportunity to do just that this week at a Sainsbury's School Games Festival in Essex, which is my home county.

For those that don't know, the Games are made up of four levels of activity.


Level one sees competition in schools, level two sees competition between schools, level three sees competition at county/area level and level four sees a national finals event, which last year took place at the Olympic Park itself shortly before the start of London 2012.

The Sainsbury's School Games is backed by crucial National Lottery funding from Sport England, while it is designed to increase the opportunities for young people to take part in sport across the school year.

The Essex School Games I will be attending is a level three event and it will take place at Basildon Sporting Village - which was used a pre-Games training camp for London 2012 by high-profile countries, including the Japanese swimming team.

Around 2,000 young people will compete across a range of sports including netball, swimming and tennis.


Although I hope to see some of the Olympic and Paralympic stars of the future in action at the Essex School Games, I am most looking forward to seeing an event that truly uses the inspiration of London 2012 to transform competitive sport in schools and gets more people playing sport at whatever level.

It is just fantastic to see a project like the Sainsbury's School Games in place to contribute to the Olympic legacy by ensuring young people can be competitive and active while demonstrating the Olympic Values of Friendship, Excellence and Respect.

The Festivals are giving the next generation the opportunity to compete against one another in a fun environment – and that can only be a good thing.

Chloe Rogers is a field hockey player who won a bronze medal as part of the Team GB women's side at London 2012. She is also one Sport England's Sporting Champions that will attend the Sainsbury's School Games. To register a school for the Sainsbury's School Games, click here.