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Prince Harry becomes President of the Sainsbury’s School Games

Prince Harry of Wales has become President of the Sainsbury’s School Games, a major multi-sport event for young people.

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Prince Harry, who has previously given his backing to the Games, will be lending his support to young people involved in all four levels of the competition. The Prince will use his support to highlight the role that competitive sport can play in the development of young people, regardless of their background. 

In a message to the participants in this year’s Games, HRH Prince Henry of Wales said: “Huge congratulations to everyone who has taken part in the inaugural School Games, but especially to those who have won. I believe that sport can give people confidence and skills which set you up for life. It is so important to get outside and to keep physically and mentally fit. I am very honoured to become the President of the School Games.”

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport said: “I am thrilled that Prince Harry has agreed to become President of the Sainsbury’s School Games. He is great sportsman in his own right and I’m sure his support and enthusiasm will be a massive inspiration to all the young people who take part in every stage of the Sainsbury’s School Games.”

The Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games is a year round school sports initiative, which uses the inspiration of London’s Olympics and Paralympics to transform competitive sport in schools and get more people playing sport.  Thousands of schools across the country have signed up to take part in local class versus class and school versus school competitions along with county wide sports festivals. The first Sainsbury’s School Games finals for 1,600 elite young athletes took young athletes started on 6 May at the ExCel Centre and finished on 9 May at the Olympic Park.

Notes to Editors

  1. Further information about the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games.
  2. Visit the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games Facebook page.
  3. Follow official Twitter for the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games @_SchoolGames #2012SG
  4. You can find embeddable video content about the School Games on the Youth Sport Trust YouTube channel.
  5. Follow @2012govuk for all the Government’s news about London 2012, and @2012govpress if you’re a journalist covering the Games. 

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Published 9 May 2012