University facilities draw young competitors for landmark 20th School Games
Loughborough University played host to the School Games National Finals from 3–6 September, welcoming more than 1,000 athletes to compete across 11 sports as the event marked its 20th anniversary since its first staging in Glasgow in 2006.
The annual multi-sport festival, delivered by the Youth Sport Trust and supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England, is designed to give school-aged competitors the opportunity to experience a major sporting event environment and to perform at national level.
Among those celebrating on the final day was 15-year-old para-triathlete Josh Pullen, who took gold in the mixed team relay. Pullen, who lives in Gilstead, Bradford, praised the course and the atmosphere provided by the venue.
"My bike went pretty much perfectly. Although the course was technical, the technical sections kind of played out for me, which was good... The team that I have, honestly, they couldn't get much better, so to bring it home with these guys felt really good."
Organisers say the facilities at Loughborough allowed competitors to race in a safe, well-equipped environment while also experiencing what it feels like to be part of a major sporting occasion, a key objective of the School Games programme.
Festival aims and notable alumni underline its role in talent development
The School Games has provided an early platform for many athletes who later became household names. The event's alumni include four-time European gold medallist Amy Hunt, mile world record holder Josh Kerr, three-time Olympic champion Adam Peaty, Olympic bronze medallist Georgia Hunter Bell and sprint star Dina Asher-Smith.
This year's finals also attracted established athletes in supportive roles. Two-time Paralympic bronze medallist Olivia Breen, who previously competed at the School Games in 2015, and 2026 Commonwealth Games 3x3 basketball champion Ashley Hamilton were among the VIPs at the event, offering encouragement and advice to the next generation.
"The School Games National Finals is a special event that brings a lot of different people together and gives a lot of athletes the exposure t"
The brief quotation from Hamilton underlines the wider aim of the programme: to give young athletes exposure to high-level competition and the chance to thrive.
Event at a glance
- Dates: 3–6 September
- Venue: Loughborough University
- Athletes: Over 1,000 competitors
- Sports: 11, including disability disciplines
- Deliverer: Youth Sport Trust (supported by Sport England National Lottery funding)
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Edition | 20th anniversary (since 2006) |
| Number of sports | 11 |
| Approx. athletes | 1,000+ |
Local leaders and sport organisers have welcomed the return of the finals to Loughborough, a town long associated with high-performance sport and athlete development. For many of the young participants, the experience of competing on campus and using university-standard facilities is part of the development pathway that can inspire continued commitment to sport.
For competitors such as Pullen, the event delivered both a personal triumph and a reminder of the importance of teamwork at national level. His description of the course as "technical" and of decision-making under pressure points to the competitive intensity on show across disciplines.
Organisers are expected to assess the week’s operation and feedback from athletes and coaches to inform future events. Meanwhile, the presence of former School Games participants who have gone on to elite success emphasises the role the finals continue to play in spotting and nurturing talent nationwide.
As Loughborough reflects on hosting the milestone 20th edition, local clubs, schools and universities will be watching to see which athletes proceed from this showcase towards regional, national and potentially international competition in the years ahead.
