The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced that the West of England, Wales, Tyne and Wear and Sheffield are to host the UK School Games in the run up to 2012.

Jowell said: “The UK School Games give our most talented school-age athletes the chance to compete as if they were taking part in an international competition. The crowds and cameras will help them learn that all-important big match temperament.

The Games will be held in the West of England (Bath and Bristol) in 2008; Wales (Cardiff, Swansea and Newport) in 2009; Tyne and Wear (Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland) in 2010 and Sheffield in 2011.

Commenting on Sheffield’s success, Neil Jenkinson, head of culture and major events at Yorkshire Forward, said: “The scope of the event grows every year, which means that even more activities, more competitors and more supporters will visit the host cities and surrounding regions.

“For our regional economy, it means a guaranteed increase in tourism spending and a raised profile for the region as a sporting venue in advance of the London Games.”

Olympics minister Tessa Jowell has also unveiled a new youth volunteering scheme. Charity v will fund a Youth Sport Trust programme to train more than 3,000 16–18 year olds as sports officials, such as judges and umpires.

“And through the new youth volunteering scheme, we’re working to produce the next generation of sports officials – they too could find themselves at the heart of the action in major sporting events of the future,” Jowell added.

This year’s School Games in Coventry will feature three new sports – badminton, judo and volleyball – as well as disability events in athletics, table tennis and swimming. Details: www.culture.gov.uk

Photograph: athletics arena at EIS Sheffield