MORE than 1,000 children will compete in Kent’s biggest youth sporting event at the University of Kent, Canterbury, on Saturday.

The Kent Youth Games, for 11 to 16 year olds, will be contested by representatives from all of the county’s 13 districts.

Shelley Eaton, of the Kent Active Sports Partnership, stressed there would be a record number of people involved this year. She said: “There will be more youngsters taking part and we have added more sports, with cycling and orienteering, which takes the total to 10,” she said.

“We have also got demonstrations, such as volleyball, rowing, cheerleading and circus skills, with a view to them being included in subsequent years.”

Archery and basketball will take place in the university’s sports hall between 10am and 3pm. Girls football, hockey, netball, rugby, archery, cycling and orienteering will be on the sports field next to the pavilion between 10.30am and 3pm.

Trials have been held around the county to select youngsters for each district team.

Mrs Eaton said: “We started in September by encouraging schools to set up extra-curricular clubs to deliver coaching.

“From January onwards there were festivals, leagues and trials and by Easter we were starting to get the final selections from the districts.”

In addition to the sports trophies, a fair play award will be given to the team that demonstrates the best overall behaviour.

“We feel fair play is very important and we really try to get the message across that it is important to take part, have fun and take care of your team-mates,” said Mrs Eaton.

A spirit of the games award will be handed out to recognise the hard work volunteers give to the organisation and preparation of the Games.

“It is an incredibly important award because grassroots sport is reliant on volunteers and coaches and it is a way of saying thank you to them,” said Mrs Eaton.

“Coaches who often give 20 to 30 hours a week of their time and sport in the UK could not be delivered without them.”

The Games are organised by the Kent Active Sports Partnership which provides a sports development programme for youngsters in the county.