This Preston teenager has competed in the national 2018 School Games

A teenage girl from Preston has taken part in the national 2018 School Games.

Lauren Airey, 13, from Preston, has competed in the Under 14’s England Midlands Laser Run squad at the multi-sport event for the UK’s most talented school-age athletes.

It took place at Loughborough University from Thursday 30 August – Sunday 2 September.

Lauren, who is a student at the Lancaster Girls Grammar School and member of Rossall Pentathlon Academy, already has an impressive record of success.

She recently joined the English Talent Programme for the Modern Pentathlon, and after winning gold in the 400m freestyle at the Lancashire Swimming Championships.

Over 1400 athletes will compete across 11 sports at the Games, five of which include disability disciplines.

Four new sports have been introduced this year, including canoeing and rowing, laser run, netball and triathlon.

The event gives young people the chance to experience high-level competition in a multi-sport environment similar to an Olympic or Paralympic Games.

Some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars have competed at the event before, including Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock, Olympic champion Adam Peaty, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson and sprinter Adam Gemili.

At the event Lauren had the chance to live in a dedicated Athletes’ Village on the university campus, take part in a School Games ceremony and perform in front of huge crowds of spectators.

Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Sport Trust, Ali Oliver, said: “The School Games National Finals provide a great opportunity for talented young athletes like Lauren. Competitors get a real taste of what it’s like to be part of a world-class sporting event at the amazing sporting venues of Loughborough University, and the event is a great way to see our future sporting champions in action today.”

The 2018 School Games is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and Home Country Sports Councils and is delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

Does your child attend Lancaster Girls Grammar School? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below