Exeter hosts Devon Games to Inspire 2014
The Devon Games to Inspire 2014 (DGTI) will be held on Saturday 14 June at the Sports Park in Exeter on the University of Exeter Campus.
The games provide the opportunity for young people to compete in 11 sports and activities to win individual medals and gain points which will go towards the overall trophy for their area team.
The event which is part of the national Sainsbury’s School Games programme and it is expected that over 800 young people will take part from across the county.
In addition the event provides an opportunity for young volunteers from Devon’s cadet forces, schools, colleges and universities to play a major part, with many of the officiating duties being carried out by young sports leaders, and giving them experience of being games maker style volunteers.
The action starts at 8.30am with team coaches arriving from all across the county, with an exciting Opening Ceremony and a mass warm up by 5–a-Day Fitness at 9.30am and the final results will be announced at the closing ceremony with the award of trophies for Fair Play and for the overall winning area at 4pm.
On the day, Active Devon's special guest will be Giselle Ansley.
After watching her mum play hockey from a pitch side pushchair it was just a few short years before Giselle started playing hockey at Paignton Junior Hockey Club in Devon. That wasn't her only sport though, as she also played cricket to a regional level until relatively recently to focus on her hockey, making her debut against South Africa in February 2013.
The sports on offer will include Badminton, Boccia, Girls Cricket and Rugby, Aquathlon, Tennis and Volleyball.
The Games have been taking place in Devon for 14 years, and are hosted each year by a different area, allowing an opportunity for different activities to take place, and providing a showcase for the county's high quality venues.
Feedback from previous games have shown that memories of the day remain very special for the participants and their families over the years and the event has been a catalyst for many young people being encouraged to join their local community club and for new sports clubs being established across the county, and with many young people going on to achieve representative honours and a lifelong career in sport.
The event is being supported by Active Devon, Devon County Council, RELAYS, Devon’s Local Authorities, local Sports Clubs and coaches, Youth organisations and the Sports National Governing Bodies, as well as the Youth Sport Trust and Sport England.
More information about the School Games is available on Active Devon’s website and on the Sainsbury’s School games website www.2014schoolgames.com
