Sporty Teignbridge youngsters head South West Youth Games leaderboard

Free event in Dawlish on Saturday will be competitive and family-friendly (and embrace a World Cup quarter final)

Radio Exe is getting ready to host the region’s largest youth sports event next Saturday (7 July). Dawlish is being prepared for a day of sport, activities and entertainment.  The 20th South West Rotary Youth Games involves 14 sports and this year is being held at Dawlish Leisure Centre and surrounding locations, with cricket, rugby, football, triathlon, cyclocross, ability sports, badminton, hockey, basketball, gymnastics and dance among the competitive activities. West Devon are current defending champions, but after BMX, scootering, skateboarding, netball and indoor rowing events earlier this year, host area Teignbridge are heading the leaderboard going into this final weekend. 

However you don't have to be a young competitor to enjoy the South West Youth Games. It's free to attend, is aimed at the whole family,  and will culminate with a giant screening of the World Cup quarter-final from 3pm. 

The Games Village has bubble football, dodgeball, archery, ultimate frisbee and tennis. Newton Abbot town crier Nigel Kenneison will keep people fully updated on the results. Radio Exe's Chris Dinnis gets the day underway with an opening ceremony at 9:30am. Local bands Black Conterfeit and Mania will perform sets before the stage is cleared and crowds settle on hay bales for the football from Russia.  Leisure centre swimming is free that day too, when there's also the chance for all ages to take part in the One Mile Family Fun Run.

GB cyclist Lauren Dolan and England rugby internationals Poppy Leitch, Hollie Cunningham and Jess Thomas will be among the special guests. Other activities include bowls taster sessions, skateboarding and bouncy castles.

Chris Broadbent, Chief Executive of the event hosts, says: “We are broadening our appeal so we are Devon and Cornwall’s best family sports day out. There will be keen competition, but so much more on a packed day for the family and the best thing is that it is free."

The day gets underway from 9am through the conclusion of the World Cup match in the early evening. Parking is available at nearby Dawlish Community College.