SAINSBURY’S School Games festival in Cheshire has received a £25,000 boost this year.

The local organising committee for Cheshire and Warrington was awarded the money from Sport England, thanks to National Lottery funding, to deliver the School Games festival in 2014.

The festival is the culmination of year-round competitions between schools, with the most talented athletes progressing to compete across more than 30 sports including athletics, wheelchair basketball, hockey, volleyball and badminton.

Sport England’s strategic lead-youth, Suzanne Glavin, said: “The Sainsbury’s School Games Festivals play a critical role in inspiring a generation of youngsters to play sport by providing them with opportunities to take part in competitive school sport.

“It also introduces talented athletes to high level competition, and with the help of the sport governing bodies, they are supported and signposted to further opportunities to compete and develop their talent.

“We are delighted to award this funding to Cheshire & Warrington and would like to thank them for the work they do in making these events happen.”

The 2014 county sports festivals are part of an expected 150 festivals across the country, made up of 175,000 students – including 17,000 students with a disability – and 25,000 volunteers.

Anne Boyd, Sport Cheshire’s CEO, said: “Sport Cheshire is delighted to once again be working with our partners – School Games organisers, teachers and fantastic volunteers – to deliver the Sainsbury’s School Games in the Cheshire & Warrington area.

“As well as providing a great opportunity for competition the games also allow the young people participating to develop new skills and try new activities, building confidence and team working.”

Minister for Sport, Helen Grant, said: “The School Games competition is giving young people of all abilities the chance to get involved and play a variety of sports.

“This National Lottery funding from Sport England going to the Sainsbury’s School Games Festivals will mean that this year’s festivals will be bigger and better than previous years and inspire more young people to get involved.”

The School Games Level Three winter festival in Cheshire and Warrington will take place on Friday, March 14.

Visit cwsportspartnership.org/events for more information.