"The Games are paramount to the success of future world champions... Some superstars will be born here... it replicates what happens at the Olympic Games, so if these young people get there they won't be scared. I think that the sooner you get over the fear of whatever you want to do in life the more successful you will be. To be able to perform at your best when it matters most, is as much about coping and handling the extra pressure of being with 1600 other competitors as the competing itself. The competition is often the easy part; don't be fazed by the extra distractions, like the transport, food and being in the village, think of them as part of the game. Enjoy it, thrive in it, and see it as another opportunity to get ahead.

Darren Campbell, Olympic Champion and UK School Games Ambassador 2009

The Sainsbury's UK School Games is a multi-sport event for the UK's elite young athletes of school age.

The sports programme in 2010 will include road cycling (replacing track cycling from the 2009 programme), which combined with the existing programme of Athletics, Badminton, Fencing, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball gives a total to ten sports. There is integrated programme of disability events (physical and learning disabilities) in Athletics, Swimming and Table Tennis increases the athletes competing in 2010 to around 1600.

Each of the ten sports is combined into a four-day Games environment designed to replicate the feel of major event such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

The Sainsbury's UK School Games seeks to create an inspirational and motivational setting which not only provides our elite young sports people to thrive and perform at the highest levels, but encourages more young people to take part and succeed in sport.Responsibility for the development and organisation of the Sainsbury's UK School Games lies with the Youth Sport Trust.

There are six key themes underlying the Sainsbury's UK School Games to help ensure that they bring about systematic change in the way in which competitive opportunities are developed for young people and that a lasting legacy is created.

The Sainsbury's UK School Games visions are:

1. Ongoing planning and delivery of a UK level sports event showcasing talented young sports people.

2. To bring about a step change in the content, structure and presentation of competitive sporting opportunities for young people.

3. Use the event itself, and themed branding of local and regional competitions, to raise the profile of school age competitions and the young people taking part, to promote the work undertaken in each nation to improve P.E. and school sport.

4. Integrate Olympic and Paralympic themes into the Sainsbury's UK School Games by ensuring that the Olympic and Paralympic values are promoted through volunteer training, opening and closing ceremonies and an Athletes' Village.

5. Create opportunities for young people to become engaged in volunteering at major sports events both as technical officials and event volunteers.

6. Ensure the event advocates and demonstrates the highest level of child protection and welfare systems.

Highlights from the 2009 UK School Games included:

• 1 National Record achieved in Track Cycling
• 38 UK School Games records achieved in Swimming and Athletics
• 1003 medals were awarded, 324 of them being gold medals
• 358 - Athletes experienced simulation doping-control through the 100% ME Drug Free Sport Education Programme
• 800 - Athletes took part in 'An Evening With' - Q&A sessions with leading British Olympic and Paralympic heroes
• 1134 personal performance conversations between Athlete Mentors and competitors, leading to individual action plans
• 2 - Winners of the inaugural Fair Play Award supported by British Olympic Foundation and 100%ME, presented at the Closing Ceremony
• 512 - Parents utilised the 'Performance Parent' advice on offer
• 374 team support staff
• 378 - Volunteers trained, recruited and deployed at the event
• 56% - of volunteers were under the age of 19 (77% under 25!)
• 67% - of volunteers had never volunteered in sport previously
• 94% - of volunteers plan to volunteer in sport again
• 12 - The number of countries represented in the volunteer workforce through the International Inspiration programme
• 2000 - copies of 'The Games Today' newspaper printed overnight and placed in the athletes' village dining room for breakfast each day... written by young people for young people
• 440 - Technical officials
• 80 young officials
• 10 - Young Ambassadors identified, trained and deployed at the event - the first Young Ambassadors in Wales!