YOUTH GAMES: The race is on to identify the sports stars of the future to represent Ipswich in the 2002 BTexact Technologies Suffolk Youth Games. Now in its third year, the games is one the biggest festivals of youth sport in the country, attracting an entry of more than 600 nine to 16-year-olds from all over Suffolk.

THE race is on to identify the sports stars of the future to represent Ipswich in the 2002 BTexact Technologies Suffolk Youth Games.

Now in its third year, the games is one the biggest festivals of youth sport in the country, attracting an entry of more than 600 nine to 16-year-olds from all over Suffolk.

This year's event will take place at Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre on Sunday, July 7.

BTexact Technologies, BT's IP-City-based research and technology business, is sponsoring the games for the second year.

Chief executive Stewart Davies said: "BTexact is delighted to be involved once again in this major event. It's a great showcase for some of the excellent sporting talent that Suffolk has to offer.

"We were very impressed last year with the all-embracing nature of the games and the sports coaching programmes organised around them.

Ipswich Borough Council's Sports Development Unit is working with schools and local sports clubs to recruit young people to attend 'training and selection' sessions in each of the sports featured in this year's games.

To represent 'Team Ipswich', young people must either live or go to school in Ipswich and meet the additional criteria for their chosen sport.

Ipswich will field teams in athletics (school years 7 and 8), basketball (school year 8), girls' football (school years 7 and 8), hockey (school years 8 and 9), netball (school year 7 and 8), tag rugby (school years 5 and 6), swimming (school years 5 and 6) and tennis (born 1989 or later).

Ipswich will also be fielding athletics and swimming teams in the events for young people with disabilities.

Free training and selection sessions for young people wishing to be considered to represent Ipswich will be held during the Easter holidays for each of the sports featured in this year's games.

At these events, athletes will be invited to register for a 'Development Squad Coaching Course' delivered over a number of weeks.

It is from these courses that the teams that ultimately go on to represent Ipswich at the 2002 BTexact Technologies Suffolk Youth Games will be chosen.

For further information on the eligibility criteria and to register your interest, please contact the Sports Development Unit on 01473 433542/505 or pick up a recruitment leaflet at an Ipswich Borough Council Sports Centre.

Dates and times of all recruitment sessions can be found in the Ipswich Borough Council Easter Fun brochure available from Civic Centre or local Ipswich Borough Council Sports Centres.