THE countdown to the largest youth sporting event in the county, the SPAR Lancashire School Games, has officially begun after it was launched at Accrington Academy.

The SPAR Lancashire School Games, now in its ninth year, is the biggest school games scheme in the county and is part of the national £128m school games programme.

The event is organised by Lancashire Sport Partnership and is implemented by the county’s school games organisers. It is sponsored by James Hall & Company Ltd, the SPAR distributors for the North of England.

The school games mascot, the Lancashire Lion, helped launch the event which saw pupils prepare for months of competition by taking part in strength training including climbing and judo.

The SPAR Lancashire School Games comprises two county final events aimed at giving every child the opportunity to participate in competitive sport. They are the Disability Swimming Gala which takes place in March and the Summer Games Festival at Stanley Park, Blackpool on June 30.

Schools will now battle it out for a place at the SPAR Lancashire School Games finals which include gymnastics, handball, football, netball, rounders, athletics, tennis and tag rugby.

Jane Johnson, school games organiser for Hyndburn, who helped to arrange the event, said: “Youngsters across Hyndburn are already training hard to compete in the qualifiers which will determine who will make it through to the county finals.

“Each year the event provides an exciting and inclusive competitive platform.”

Peter Dodding, sales and marketing director from James Hall & Company Ltd, said: “The school games programme is a series of spectacular events and excitement is certainly building for the county finals this year here in Hyndburn.

“As a business dedicated to our local community we are proud to be working closely with the county sport partnership to involve as many young people in sport and physical activity as possible.”

Adrian Leather, chief executive at Lancashire Sport Partnership, added: “Lancashire Sport Partnership is extremely pleased to see the continued commitment of our sponsoring partner SPAR.

“The firm’s support since 2006 has enabled over 16,000 young people to have fun in sport, helping achieve our goal of getting people active, keeping people moving and improving people’s lives.”

Over 2,000 youngsters are expected to take part in the SPAR Lancashire School Games this year.