THE athletics track at Aldershot saw hundreds of youngsters competing in all the usual disciplines cheered on by the colleagues on the sidelines.

Some of the athletes were attached to recognised clubs, but others were trying the sport out for almost the first time.

Tim Wilding, who is associated with New Forest Juniors athletic club, was helping to organise the New Forest squad at Aldershot.

To select their local authority squad, the local council wrote to all the schools in the area asking for names of pupils who were interested in competing.

They were all invited to trials and the team selected from them. The youngsters were then given three training sessions in their sport.

Mandy Gray, who is a New Forest team manager, said: "If all the youngsters get from an event like this is enjoyment and experience then we're happy.

"If they decide they want to take it on and join our club then that's a bonus.

"We're just introducing them to this type of environment.

"It's just great to see them competing and enjoying themselves. They've all made some new friends today - it's wonderful."

Wilding said the Games could act as a vehicle to raise the profile of some sports in a bid to attract better facilities.

"Our club could really do with better facilities - we would love an all-weather track, but we've only got as far as identifying the need for one.

"There's only so much schools can do regarding sport. I'm not having a go at schools, we get good support from schools in our area.

"We've been able to go into some schools and do after-school coaching sessions, and we have several youngsters here today that have come from those sessions."

Wilding believes the state of junior athletics in Hampshire is rising. "In cross country we're probably one of the strongest around," he said.

"There are several full-sized tracks in Southampton, Portsmouth, Andover, Basingstoke and Aldershot.

"The Hampshire Junior Championships were held last month and, unlike other counties, were well supported and the event was considered a success."

See today's Daily Echo for more reports and pictures from the Hampshire Youth Games.