YOUNG sports stars from Basingstoke were among of more than 2,500 youngsters who competed at Aldershot’s Military Facilities in the Hampshire Games as part of the Sainsbury’s School Games initiative.

This was across a range of sports including athletics, football, golf, hockey, basketball, swimming, trampolining, tri-golf, boccia, new age kurling, tennis, judo, table tennis, netball, gymnastics and badminton.

Southampton’s Olympic diver Pete Waterfield and Great Britain Paralympic athletics bronze medal winner Olivia Breen helped open the event on the first day.

Breen said: “It feels great being here for the community.

“It’s so nice to see so many kids into their sport and London 2012 has really helped inspire that.

“There is a great atmosphere at the Hampshire Games and I hope that the kids enjoy it and have fun.”

Basingstoke schools came away with a number of medals and dominated the trampolining as Brighton Hill Community School won the boys’ competition and the Hurst were the girls’ winners.

Everest Community Academy won the cyclo-cross event, while a combined Basingstoke team won the squash (Year 5 and 6).

There were second places for Oakley Juniors (tag rugby), Dove House (athletics MLD) and Brighton Hill (rounders Year 7 and 8).

A combined schools team finished joint third with Winchester in the swimming event.

The Hampshire Games is backed by National Lottery funding through Sport England and also included a challenge zone for young people and spectators to try various different activities throughout both days More than £128m of Lottery and Government funding is being invested to support the School Games nationwide.

For further information about how schools can become involved in the School Games go to yourschoolgames.com