Maidenhead & Windsor

They're under starters orders for this year's new look Maidenhead Berkshire Youth Games taking place in July.

It's all change in the local youth sporting arena as the new games – the successor to the Thames Valley Youth Games hosted for the last three years by the Maidenhead Royal Borough – kick-start into action this week with the first of the local qualifying events.

The new-look Berkshire-wide games – to be held at Bradfield College in West Berkshire on Sunday July 2 – will see schools from each of the six unitary authorities competing in nine different sports – athletics, basketball, cricket, hockey, netball, football, rugby, rowing and orienteering. Also included in the games will be boccia (similar to French boules), football and athletics for young people with moderate learning difficulties.

In the local qualifying events beginning on Wednesday, teams from local schools will battle it out at a series of festivals and sporting sessions for the honour of representing the Maidenhead Royal Borough at the prestigious event.

Organised by the Charters and Windsor School Sport Partnerships and the Maidenhead Royal Borough's Sports Development team, the qualifying events already scheduled are:

Wednesday March 15 2 – 4pm, Charters School – high fives netball (mixed five-a-side, Years 4 and 5)
Thursday March 23 4 – 6pm, Dedworth Middle School (girls' football, five or six-a-side, Years 7 and 8)
Tuesday March 28 2 – 4pm, Windsor Boys' School (mixed tag rugby, Years 3 and 4)
Tuesday March 30 4 – 6pm, Altwood School (boys' hockey, Years 7 and 8)

Maidenhead Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for leisure and cultural services, said: "We were very privileged to be able to host the Thames Valley Youth Games for the last three years, and we are equally delighted to be involved in these new-style games.

"Although the format is new, the ethos is the same – to give young people the opportunity to take part in a range of sporting activities and to encourage them to develop links with sporting clubs across the borough and further their interest in sport. And of course to promote a real enjoyment of sport and all the benefits it brings. I would like to wish all the participants the very best of luck!"

For further information about the qualifying events and the games in July, contact Nichola Tomkins, Maidenhead school sport development officer, on 01628 796136.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead