The second UK School Games was declared a resounding success as the curtain came down on the 2007 event in Coventry, in an outdoor closing ceremony at the University of Warwick on Sunday evening.

This year's Games saw 1300 competitors in eight sports battling for honours at five venues across the West Midlands city, over three days of competition.

There were a multitude of outstanding performances in all sports, including a world junior record in the athletics and national junior record in the swimming. A total of 797 medals were awarded during the event.

Laura Larkin, captain of the gold medal winning England North girl’s volleyball team said:
 
“The whole UK School Games experience has made us all feel very special. It has inspired us to carry on in sport. We’ve learnt so much and made great friends.”

Under 48kg judo gold medallist, Francesca Steggall said:

“The atmosphere here at the UK School Games was much better than I expected, the crowd were great and helped me get through the matches. It’s a wonderful event and I would definitely tell others to aim for it.”

Triple gymnastics gold medallist Nathan Mullet from Wales said:

“I think the UK School Games is a fantastic idea and I really hope the funding continues for it. I think it’s really important to help British teams progress towards the Olympics. Their main aim is to get lots of gold medals and I definitely think this event is a major stepping stone towards it.”

A number of former Olympic and Paralympic sports stars turned out in Coventry throughout the Games to lend their support. Athletics legend Daley Thompson officially opened the event while Dames Kelly Holmes and Tanni Grey-Thompson toured all the venues to watch the action and also held a question and answer session for the competitors in the athletes’ village.

Dame Kelly said: “The UK School Games are a great opportunity and I'm sure all the competitors in Coventry will have gained valuable experience at this event while having fun and making lots of new friends.

“As a double Olympic champion and now National School Sport Champion I am passionate about ensuring support for elite young performers and providing them with high quality competitive opportunities which are what the UK School Games are all about.”

As Coventry said farewell to competitors, volunteers and officials at the closing ceremony, the UK School Games flag was handed to representatives from Bath and Bristol which will jointly host the event in 2008.

Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said:

“The second successful UK School Games in Coventry has demonstrated just how much young sporting talent there is in the UK, exemplified by the quality of the competition we’ve witnessed. This year’s event has also been greatly enhanced by the contribution of the young volunteers, technical officials and ambassadors, who, together with the competitors, have all made this an inspirational weekend.

"We look forward to next year when Bath and Bristol host the third UK School Games, which will help us give even more young people the experience of a major sporting event and enjoy the benefits that competitive sport can offer.”