The 2016 Manx Youth Games were officially launched by Tim Crookall MLC, Minister for Education and Children, last night (Monday).

It’s the 15th year of the Games, which were first staged in 2002.

The event, run by Manx Sport and Recreation (MSR), takes place on Saturday 7th May and will see pupils from primary and secondary schools take part in 13 sports, representing their regions.

The Minister said: ‘I am delighted the Games are going ahead following the flood damage the NSC suffered in December.

‘The Games have gone from strength to strength since their inception and are an important part of the school and sporting calendar.

‘Encouraging children to be active and take up sport is important to their health and wellbeing later in life,’ the Minister said.

‘The Games have introduced thousands of children to sports they have continued to enjoy, either at club/competitive level or just for fun.’

Staff from Sports Development Unit, part of MSR, will visit schools this month to show a video of last year’s event and distribute information about how to get involved.

Training sessions, run by qualified coaches, start at the end of the month and run until May.

At tonight’s launch, at the Sport Institute at the NSC, the Minister welcomed Kevin Cartledge, Senior Manager of HSBC Isle of Man, which has supported the Games since their inception.

Mr Cartledge said: “HSBC is delighted to continue its involvement with the Manx Youth Games and to help celebrate its 15th anniversary in May. The commitment and dedication of all the sports coordinators, coaches and volunteers who are involved in making this such a worthwhile initiative is outstanding.

‘It is a privilege for HSBC to support the Manx Youth Games and help with the community development on the Island.’

The launch was attended by the winner of a competition run in schools to design and name a mascot for the event.

Mr Cartledge and Geoff Corkish MLC, a Member of the Department of Education and Children, selected a mascot designed by Grace Cooper, seven, a pupil at St Mary’s RC Primary School.

Her school will receive ?200 worth of sports equipment.

The mascot will be kept a closely guarded secret until its appearance at the Games.

For more information on the Games, visit www.gov.im/manxyouthgame