MARLBOROUGH College hosted the Wiltshire & Swindon School Games last Wednesday, which included 1,500 young athletes and 200 young volunteers, who were representing 113 schools.

This year’s games comprised of 14 sports as part of a year-round school sports competition programme supported by the National Lottery and Sport England.

The sports were split up so that primary and secondary students were getting the correct intensity exercise.

Some of the sports for primary school athletes included orienteering, athletics and swimming. Secondary school pupils took part in rounders and touch rugby. There was also a Change4Life festival aimed at getting young children to be more active.

There to inspire and encourage the young athletes was Mara Yamauchi, the second fastest British woman at marathon distance, and winner of bronze medal at 10,000m at the 2006 Commonwealth games. She compered the opening company and was on hand all day for the young athletes to give confidence, help achieve personal bests and give target times to achieve.

Athletes were joined by the Mayor of Marlborough Lisa Farrell, Mayor of Swindon Junab Ali and David Hemery CBE.

Wiltshire and Swindon Sport organised the prestigious event in conjunction with the School Games organisers, National Governing Bodies for Sport and Wiltshire Council in conjunction with many others.

Jess Peirce, of Abbeyfield School, said: “Every child looked like they could not be prouder to be at the games.”

The feedback from the games was very positive.

Steve Boocock, of Wiltshire and Swindon Sport, said: “We want to encourage even more young people to get active and this is a great way to nurture new talent and build that lifelong love of sport.”