Lewis Stewart from Killearn will chase high profile success at the upcoming Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games (3-6 September) in Manchester, when he competes in this prestigious multi-sport event for school-age athletes.

One of the 1,500 athletes taking part in this year’s Games, 16-year-old Lewis from Balfron High School will represent Scotland in cycling. In total, 12 sports, seven of which include disability disciplines, will be contested at the four-day spectacular which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

Lewis will be following in the footsteps of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars including Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock, world-record breaking swimmer Adam Peaty, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, World Junior Champion heptathlete and high jumper Morgan Lake and sprinter Adam Gemili, who all competed at the School Games before going on to elite success with Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

At the event, Lewis will experience the excitement of competing at the highest level. He will live within the Athletes’ Village, attend show-stopping opening and closing ceremonies and perform in front of a crowd of thousands at world class sports facilities in Manchester.

Lewis said: “I am very happy and excited to represent Scotland at the Sainsbury School Games, last year was one of the best experiences of my life. My main aim is to medal at the event and to make progress from last year’s results, individually and as part of a team for Scotland.” Alongside the competing athletes there will be 400 young volunteers bringing the Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games to life. Young reporters will be among the journalists reporting the action and many of the officials and coaches will also be young people.

Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch said: “The Sainsbury’s School Games continue to go from strength to strength and I am pleased to see so many young athletes embracing this fantastic opportunity to showcase their talents. Grassroots sport is where it all starts. It’s where the coaches and sports teachers mould our future stars, inspiring generations to get involved and be the best that they can be.” Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver said: “The 1,500 athletes attending the Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games in Manchester will discover what competing at a major multi-sport event is really like. Many sporting superstars have used the Games as a platform to elite success including the likes of Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Adam Gemili and Ellie Simmonds and we hope Lewis will be inspired to do the same.”