The new School Games will debut this year with the multi-sport festivals being the third level of the competition structure and a culmination of the on-going programme of intra-school and inter-school competitions.

The Sport England funding will be invested in 46 local organising committees, who will be responsible for organising and delivering the festivals.

Each committee will be made up of representatives from local schools, County Sports Partnerships, young people and national and local sports providers.

The committees will also be supported by the Youth Sport Trust, which has been commissioned by Sport England to develop and deliver elements of the School Games until 2013.

"I'm delighted to hear this money has been approved by Sport England," said the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt.

Around 60 festivals will take place involving more than 100,000 competitors and nearly 14,000 young volunteers.

"The School Games will help inspire a generation of young people to take part in sport," said Sport England's youth and communities director Mike Diaper.

"Alongside our Olympic legacy programme called Places People Play, this will ensure we build a lasting sporting legacy beyond this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games."

The School Games is a four level competition for schoolchildren in England which will be held in the Olympic Park in May.

In total, over £128 million ($200 million/€153 million) of National Lottery and Government funding is being invested in the School Games.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
January 2012: London 2012 is a priceless chance to set youngsters on path to sport for life, says Culture Secretary
November 2011: Jowell deeply concerned and sceptical over London 2012 school sports legacy
October 2011: Culture Secretary unveils plans for 2012 School Games finals at Olympic venues
September 2011: Sue Campbell - Celebrating the success of the Sainsbury's UK School Games
September 2011: Youth Sport Trust already focused on 2012 School Games