AN Olympic legacy project that inspires students from Chippenham to get into sport has been hailed as the best in the South West.

Up and Under Sports was nominated after encouraging students from Abbeyfield, Sheldon and Hardenhuish schools to play touch rugby on Friday evenings, as part of Sport England’s lottery-funded Sportivate Olympic and Paralympic legacy initiative.

Through the project, teens in Chippenham are discovering the fun of playing touch rugby with friends, and now plan to keep the sessions running indefinitely.

Seventeen-year-old Ellen Gaunt, who is currently studying for her AS-levels at Hardenhuish School, said she loves playing touch rugby.

“I started playing in Sept-ember and I love it,” she said.

“There are girls who want to take part as well as boys, which is fantastic. Everyone was encouraged to do their best regardless of their ability. I would love to keep going next year because it’s so much fun. I’ve started bringing along my friends too.”

Chippenham MP Duncan Hames said he hoped even more young people would be encouraged to take part in sports.

He said: “It is an important part of the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games to inspire young people to get involved in playing sport – congratulations to all involved with the Sportivate project who have already started to achieve this in Wiltshire.”

The legacy award was given to Up and Under Sports by England woman’s rugby star Rachael Burford, who is one of a team of sportsmen and women who have been visiting Sportivate sessions to share their experiences and enthusiasm for sport.

Burford said: “It’s amazing to see the how Up and Under Sports has sparked the enthusiasm of these teenagers for touch rugby.

“I love visiting these projects because I think sport gives young people an amazing way to express themselves and can change a young person’s life forever.”