Harvey Parker and Harry Meredith, from Radstock, have been selected to be part of the Athletics squad at the 2018 School Games – a national multi-sport event for the UK’s most talented school-age athletes, which takes place at Loughborough University from Thursday, 30th August to Sunday, 2nd September.

Twelve-year-old Harvey Parker, from Radstock, who is a student at Writhlington School and is a member of Bath Pentathlon Club, will compete for the U-14s England South squad in the Laser Run.

Sixteen-year-old Harry Meredith, also a student at Writhlington School, and a member of Team Bath AC, will compete for the England Midlands squad in the 400m Hurdles.

He already has an impressive record of success: Harry has previously qualified to compete in the English Schools Championships and also has a personal best of 57.38s.

Over 1,400 athletes will compete across eleven sports at the School Games, five of which include disability disciplines. This year, the School Games has introduced four new sports (Canoeing and Rowing, Laser Run, Netball and Triathlon).

The event will give many young people, across a variety of different sports, an experience of high-level competition in a multi-sport environment similar to an Olympic or Paralympic Games.

Harry will be following in the footsteps of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars who have competed at the event before going on to senior international success.

Previous competitors include Paralympic champions, Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock, Olympic champion, Adam Peaty, heptathlete, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, and sprinter, Adam Gemili.

At the event, Meredith will experience the excitement of competing at the highest level. He will live in a dedicated Athletes’ Village on the Loughborough University campus, take part in a School Games ceremony and perform in front of huge crowds of spectators.

“The School Games National Finals provide a great opportunity for talented young athletes like Harry and Harvey,” says Ali Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Sport Trust.

“Competitors get a real taste of what it is like to be part of a world-class sporting event at the amazing sporting venues of Loughborough University, and the event is a great way to see our future sporting champions in action today.”

The 2018 School Games is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and Home Country Sports Councils, and is delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

Tickets for the event are available at: www.schoolgamesfinals.org/buy-tickets/