Terrestrial broadcaster Channel 4 has confirmed that it will screen two highlights programmes of the Sainsbury's UK School Games 2011, this year hosted by Sheffield from the 1 - 4 September. The event will see 1,600 of the UK's elite school aged athletes compete across 12 sports, five of which have a disability element incorporated including wheelchair basketball, a new sport for this year.
The one hour highlights programmes will be broadcast on Sunday 18th September from 06.30 to 07.30 and Sunday 25th September from 07.00 to 08.00 and on Channel 4+1 an hour after.
Will Roberts, Senior Development Manager at the Youth Sport Trust, the national charity that is delivering the games, is thrilled that Channel 4 has again agreed to broadcast highlights of the
Sainsbury's UK School Games:
"We're delighted to once again have the support of a major broadcaster in Channel 4. With this year's Sainsbury's UK School Games promising to be the biggest and most inclusive
Games in our history, it's fitting that Channel 4, who have become firmly established as a leading broadcaster of major sports events, will show highlights from Sheffield.
"The Sainsbury's UK School Games feature the next generation of sporting stars, at some of the best sporting venues the UK has to offer, so it will make for some compelling TV viewing."
Jamie Aitchison, Live Sports Editor at Channel 4 is excited about the Sainsbury's UK School Games being on Channel 4:
"After the success of the previous years we are very pleased to be showing the 2011 Sainsbury's UK School Games across two one hour programmes. There is a real buzz around with London
2012 getting so close and this is a fantastic opportunity to see the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians in action"
The UK School Games has been funded since 2008 with a £6million grant from Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Through £750,000 of additional National Lottery funding provided this year by Sport England, two new sports - wheelchair basketball and women's rugby sevens - will be included in the 2011 Sainsbury's UK School Games. The programme now includes cycling, athletics, badminton, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, judo, swimming, table tennis and volleyball with disability events in swimming, athletics and table tennis.
Sainsbury's is proud to be sponsoring the UK School Games for a second year running and in addition to their Active Kids scheme is committed to promoting a healthier, active lifestyle for young people of all ages and abilities.
To find out more about this year's Sainsbury's UK School Games visit www.ukschoolgames.com
