The race is well and truly on for thousands of youngsters across the county vying to become 2010 Kent School Games champions.

The bi-annual Games give children, aged four to 16, the chance to compete in 38 different sports and are the largest schools sports event in Europe.

More than 250 heats and trials have already taken place as the line-up for the July finale – where 6,000 children will take part – comes ever nearer.

But with more than 100 heats and trials to be played, there is still everything to play for.

The Games are being organised by Kent County Council and involve 30,000 youngsters and 545 schools.

Opened last year by double Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes, the Games are the brainchild of Kent County Council leader Paul Carter.

Qualifying heats began in October and now half of the 38 sports have now had a heat event.

Those who have already qualified are:

Under-13 Boys:

Badminton: Angley School, Chatham House, Gravesend Grammar, Harvey Grammar, Sandwich Technology, Simon Langton Boys, The Judd School, Wilmington Grammar.

Basketball: Dover Boys Grammar, Queen Elizabeth School, Simon Langton Boys.

Futsal: Aylesford, Canterbury High, Chirstchurch, Dover Boys Grammar, Harvey Grammar, Swanley, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, Ursuline.

Hockey: Borden, Chaucer, Cornwallis, Gravesend Grammar, Harvey Grammar, Pent Valley, Sir Roger Manwood’s, Skinners.

Table Tennis: Canterbury High, Cornwallis Academy, Dane Ct, Meopham, Oakwood Park Grammar, Sittingbourne Community College, Simon Langton, Wilmington Grammar.

Trampolining: Leigh Technology, Swadelands, Swan Valley

Under-15s Boys:

Badminton: Ashford Christchurch, Gravesend Grammar, Harvey Grammar, Simon Langton Boys, St Simon Stock, The Judd School, Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar, Ursuline College.

Basketball: Canterbury High, Harvey Grammar.

Futsal: Archers Court, Borden Grammar, Malling, Maplesden Noakes, Sittingbourne Community College, Swanley. The Abbey, Wimington Enterprise.

Hockey: Borden, Gravesend Grammar, Harvey Grammar, North School, Sittingbourne Community College, Sir Roger Manwood’s, Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar.

Table Tennis: Leigh Technology, North School, Oakwood Park Grammar, Simon Langton Boys A, Simon Langton Boys B, Wildernesse School, Wilmington Grammar.

Trampolining: Bennett, Leigh Technology, Swadelands, Swan Valley.

Under-13 Girls:

Badminton: Dartford Grammar, Highworth, Malling, Simon Langton Girls, Sir Roger Manwood’s, St Simon Stock, Tonbridge Grammar, Ursuline.

Basketball: Dover Girls Grammar, Gravesend Grammar, Highworth, Simon Langton Girls, The Marlowe.

Futsal: Brockhill, Charles Dickens, Gravesend Girls Grammar, Highworth, Invicta Grammar, Leigh, Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar.

Hockey: Bennett, Dover Girls Grammar, Highstead, Simon Langton Girls, Sir Roger Manwood’s, Tonbridge Grammar, Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar, Weald.

Table Tennis: Aylesford, Dartford Grammar, Dartford Grammar, Dover Girls Grammar, North School, Pent Valley, Westlands.

Trampolining: Bennett, Dartford Grammar, Highworth, Wilmington Enterprise.

Under-15s Girls:

Badminton: Ashford Christchurch, Dartford Grammar, Maidstone Girls Grammar School, Northfleet, Queen Elizabeth School, Simon Langton Girls, Tonbridge Grammar, Westlands.

Basketball: Dover Girls Grammar, Gravesend Grammar, Highworth, Simon Langton Girls, Ursuline.

Futsal: Archers Court, Canterbury High, Dartford Grammar, Highworth, Invicta Grammar, Leigh, Mascalls, Westlands.

Hockey: Dartford Grammar, Pent Valley, Sittingbourne Community College, Simon Langton Girls, Sir Roger Manwood’s, Tonbridge Grammar, Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar, Weald.

Table Tennis: Aylesford, Dartford Grammar, Dartford Grammar, Dover Girls Grammar, North School, Pent Valley, Westlands.

Trampolining: Bennett, Northfleet School for Girls, Swadelands, Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar.