THE HAMPSHIRE Games 2005, which will provide thousands of young people with the chance to compete in a range of sports, will be launched at schools across the county on March 21.

The games, including the Hampshire Youth Games, Hampshire Parallel Games and Hampshire Mini Games, are co-ordinated by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sports Partnership and will enable almost 3,000 young people to compete in sport and give them the opportunity to develop skills and learn from professional coaches.

Young local sportspeople will join Ian Chapman, Network Rail's external liaison manager - sponsors of this year's events - to launch the games at Wavell School in Farnborough, Brighton Hill Community School in Basingstoke, Redbridge Community School in Southampton and Priory School in Portsmouth.

Hampshire County Council's executive member for recreation and heritage, Councillor John Waddington, said: "We are grateful to Network Rail for their support, which enables us to continue providing so many young people with the opportunity to compete in their chosen sport."

Ian Chapman added: "The Hampshire Youth Games is a high-profile event which encourages children of all ages and abilities to get involved, enjoy sport and have fun.

"Network Rail is sponsoring the event for a second year and we are delighted to bring our new campaign called No Messin', to the Games."

During coaching sessions leading up to and at the games, students will be urged to log on to Network Rail's No Messin' website: www.no-messin.co.uk where they can participate in competitions and win prizes.

The coaching and the website encourage children to take responsibility, get involved, stay healthy and, above, all have fun with the overall objective of taking these messages into their out-of-school lives and acting responsibly around their environment, including the railway.

Chapman continued: "No Messin' has been developed with children in mind and it is styled to fit into today's popular culture.

"Teachers will be encouraged to use resources from the website in the classroom and teachers and volunteers will use it all over the partnership during out-of-school hours sports activities."