Medway's popular Mini Youth Games series will begin its 15th anniversary season on Tuesday.

More than 25,000 children have taken part in the games since they were launched in 1999 with the aim of providing competitive sport in a friendly environment with the emphasis on fair play.

The tag rugby competition at Medway Rugby Club on Tuesday will involve 360 pupils from 36 schools and is the first of 12 tournaments being held during the academic year.

To celebrate the 15-year landmark, organiser Medway Sport has added four new elements to the games: House games – internal events for individual schools or small groups of schools; teacher training - allowing teachers to develop their knowledge and skills through sports coaching workshops, sports coaching - a chance for primary schools to receive free coaching in preparation for MYG events plus summer holiday sports camps for eight to 11-year-olds.

Cllr Howard Doe, in charge of community services, said: "Thecombination of the Mini Youth Games events, the Festival of Sport and the new elements of the Mini Youth Games provides year-round primary school sport designed to both maximise participation and encourage competitiveness.

The Mini Youth Games programme is organised by Medway Sport, supported by local sports clubs, national governing bodies of sport and volunteers.

15 years of the Mini Youth Games: a special report in Friday's Medway Messenger