The School Games, which will be inaugurated in May in 2012 at the Olympic Park, will be an evolved version of the UK School Games.

Unlike the UK School Games, which will be staged for the final time from September 1-4 in Sheffield later this year, the new event will see schools and their pupils compete at local level before going through to national finals in a pyramid structure that its predecessor did not have.

"Our new School Games tournament - inspired by the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics - will be at the heart of our new approach to competitive sport," Hunt said in his speech.

"Of course, we are not starting from scratch [because of the UK School Games].

"We want to build on this success rather than replicate it and to do so in a way that allows every child the chance to take part, compete, and discover their hidden talents.

"We want to do it with a new tournament that will help drive up interest in competitive sport right where it matters most – within schools themselves.

"And we want to set this up in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games as a key part of the sporting legacy they will leave behind because this is not about a one-off event in 2012, but about what happens each and every year from now on.

"Starting this academic year, all schools will have the chance to hold an annual School Games Day – the culmination of a broad-ranging programme of intra-school competition.

"We expect around 500 schools to pilot a School Games Day this year, with a national roll-out in time for 2012 and our goal is that these will be different – and better – than current school sports days."

Hunt revealed that the School Games will consist of four levels with the first level involving children competing locally and the final level seeing elite-aged school athletes compete in a national competition.

"Firstly we want each School Games Day not to be a 'one off' event, but the finals of a broader programme of competitive intra-school sport taking place throughout the school year," said Hunt.

"Secondly, drawing on the inspiration of the 2012 Paralympics, we want to make sure that this is a scheme that will offer disabled children as many opportunities as non-disabled children.

"As a former Shadow Minister for Disabled People, I am very proud of the fact that, for many areas, this will be the first time there has been an inter-school Paralympic-style competition in their area.

"I had a chance to discuss this with some of you last night, and I was enormously impressed by your commitment to seizing this opportunity to take a huge step forward for the disability agenda.

"And thirdly, drawing on the nationwide festival of culture that will accompany London 2012, we want every School Games to have a cultural element.

"Opening and closing ceremonies, for example, that could involve the school band or orchestra.

"At the next level - what we call level two - there will be a rolling programme of leagues and tournaments promoting more competition between schools at a town or district level.

"From there, the most successful children and young people will progress to level three which will see up to 60 new, county or city-level 'Festivals of Sport' that will showcase the best of local competitive sport in the inter-school finals.

"We will be piloting this in nine regions this summer in London, Manchester, and Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Cornwall and the Black Country, Hertfordshire, Kent and Tyne and Wear.

"Finally – at level four – the most talented young sports people will have the chance to represent their schools in a high-profile, national event."



Hunt revealed that the first national finals in 2012 will be held in May so that they can be staged at the Olympic Park before the Olympic and Paralympics take place.

"In the long term, this event will take place annually in September," he said.

"But next year we want to offer these young sports people the chance to compete in the brand new Olympic Park – even ahead of the athletes themselves.

"That's why the first national final will take place in May – precisely the moment when we can give your efforts the highest profile in the run up to the Opening Ceremony on July 27

"By doing this we can create a direct link between the achievements of our most promising young athletes at the School Games and the achievements of Team GB in the Olympics and Paralympics and use their example to inspire all schoolchildren with the excitement and benefits of competitive sport.

"I look forward to working together to create a fantastic legacy for young people through the School Games."

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley added: "Sport is a vital part of a healthy childhood.

"It helps in the drive against child obesity and competitive school sport offers a wide range of benefits like better self-esteem, confidence and social skills.

"That is why we have got behind the School Games by providing up to £20 million of funding over the next two years.

"It will help foster strong links between schools and encourage greater uptake."

It was also revealed that in the spring, the Government will publish a prospectus for schools setting out exactly how teachers and coaches can get involved in the School Games.

The prospectus will also include information regarding how to register for the School Games online.

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