SWIMMER James Hollis, 16, of Theydon Bois has been selected to compete on behalf of England at the 2010 Sainsbury’s UK School Games.

Hollis, who attends the Davenant Foundation School, will compete against the UK’s school-aged elite in the 100m fly being held at the Sunderland Aquatic Centre in September.

GB athlete and Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington has a wealth of experience from global multisport events including the Beijing Olympics 2008 and she recognises the fantastic opportunity for young athletes to get a taste of elite competition and everything that comes along with it.

Adlington said: “Congratulations to James on being selected to represent England in the Sainsbury’s UK School Games. It is a fantastic achievement and something which James should feel extremely proud of. I was invited to open the event in 2008 and got the chance to see firsthand the excitement and anticipation of the young athletes for the whole experience. Winning two gold medals at the Beijing Olympics was a highlight of my sporting career and the games provided invaluable experience in competing against other world-class swimmers. The buzz of the whole games was something I will never forget, including the opening and closing ceremonies and the athlete’s village. These are elements that the young athletes at the UK School Games will also get the unique chance to experience and enjoy. I hope James benefits from the competition, and it proves invaluable in preparing him for his future and I wish him all the best in the swimming event.”

The 2010 Sainsbury’s UK School Games is the pinnacle sports event for young people competing in the UK and will see 1,600 elite school-aged athletes descend on the North East to participate in four days (2-5 September) of exciting competition across ten sports.

Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, Steve Grainger, added: “North East England has a strong sporting heritage so it is the perfect location to be hosting this year’s Sainsbury’s UK School Games. The first-class sporting facilities in the region will provide all the athletes the greatest opportunity to excel.

“Gateshead, Newcastle and Sunderland City Councils have worked tirelessly to ensure that an international standard is achieved across all the competition venues so I’m confident it will be a Games to be remember by athletes and spectators alike.”

Gwyn Burr, Sainsbury’s Customer Director, said: “The UK School Games captures everything that is good about young people wanting to compete, volunteer and officiate in sport. We are extremely proud to be helping young people of all ages and abilities to participate in activity and sport at every level through our Active Kids scheme, our TOP activity programme and now our sponsorship of the UK School Games.”

In 2006 The UK School Games received a £6 million grant from Legacy Trust UK. As an event which fully encompasses sport, education and culture, the UK School Games was one of Legacy Trust UK’s first projects. In addition to the Legacy Trust UK, the Sainsbury’s UK School Games has a consortium of North East partners who will assist with the staging of the games. These include Gateshead, Newcastle and Sunderland Councils, NewcastleGateshead Initiative along with One North East who are providing funding support, Northumbria and Newcastle Universities who are supplying sport facilities and accommodation. To find out more or sign up for the Sainsbury’s UK School Games volunteer programme visit www.ukschoolgames.com.