THE Devon Summer School Games 2014 took place in Plymouth on the 25th June and has been hailed a summer success.

With over 1200 young people from the Devon area taking part and 250 young people working as volunteers, the games provided a great opportunity for sport and activity as part of the Sainsbury’s School Games.

The Plymouth Life Centre & Central Park, Plymouth Albion RFC and Brickfields Sports Centre hosted the games which offered 7 different sports including Cycling, Golf, Rounders and Tennis.

In addition there were taster sports on offer including Baseball, Indoor Bowls and a chance to try climbing on the indoor climbing wall.

Local Olympians Sarah Barrow and Tonia Couch along with Diving Coach Andy Banks attended the exciting Opening Ceremony (in their brand new Commonwealth Games sports kit) which in honour of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games had a distinctly Scottish theme.

Lance Chatfield, School and Community Sports Manager at Plymouth School Sports Partnership felt the day had been a great success: "It was so great to see so many young people motivated and inspired to take part and achieve their goals. The opening ceremony really set the tone for the day with so many young people of all ages and abilities taking part.

"A big thank you to the teachers, leaders, volunteers, National Governing Bodies, School Games Coordinators, Active Devon and Relays for helping this to be a fantastic event."

The games also received a high level of community support from the Lord Mayor, Councillor Michael Fox along with the Chair of Plymouth School Sports Partnership, Nigel Sparrow: "It has been a fantastic event – so heart-warming to see so many young people and volunteers supporting each other at a grassroots level.

"The county has really supported the Devon Summer School Games today – and we look forward to building on the enthusiasm from this event at future school games."

The Sainsbury’s School Games uses the inspiration of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics to transform competitive sport in school and get more young people taking part in sport & activity. Active Devon have worked closely with the Plymouth School Sport Partnership team to support the event.

Matt Evans, Chief Executive for Active Devon reflected on the day: "The feedback on the day from young people, parents, teachers, volunteers and all of the organisers has been overwhelmingly positive. As the County Sports Partnership for Devon, we were so pleased to be able to support the Plymouth School Sports Partnership to deliver this action packed day – well done to everyone who took part and those who supported every aspect of the day."