A YOUNG Droitwich swimmer has been selected to compete in the 2017 School Games National Finals.
Matt Richards was chosen to be part of the swimming squad at the multi-sport event at Loughborough University from Thursday, August 31, to next Sunday.
The 14-year-old, who is a student at the Royal School Wolverhampton and is a member of the school’s swimming club, will compete for the England Central squad in the swimming.
Already with an impressive record of success, Matt competed at the Edinburgh International Swim Meet 2017.
Up to 1,600 athletes will compete across 12 sports at the School Games, seven of which include disability disciplines.
The four-day event is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.
Previous competitors include Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock, Olympic champion Adam Peaty, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson and GB sprinter Adam Gemili.
The School Games are the springboard for future athletes: 56 of the 382 athletes representing Team GB at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio competed at the School Games.
Matt will live in a dedicated Athletes’ Village on the Loughborough University campus, take part in an Opening Ceremony and perform in front of huge crowds of spectators.
He said: “The London 2012 Olympics inspired me. It was incredible to have this iconic sporting event in our country, allowing me to watch lots of different sports and see the very highest levels of competition”.
Ali Oliver, chief executive officer of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “The School Games National Finals provide a great opportunity for talented young athletes like Matt.
“Competitors get a real taste of what it’s 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.”
Tickets for the event are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/2017schoolgames
