The UK School Games start this evening in Coventry with 1,300 pupils aged up to 18 vying for top honours in the Olympics-style competition.
Badminton, judo and volleyball have been added to athletics, fencing, gymnastics, swimming and table tennis, which featured in the inaugural games last year.
Disabled pupils will compete in athletics, swimming and table tennis.
The games, funded with pound;2.3 million National Lottery cash, bring together the most talented young individuals in their respective sports, rather than as school versus school competitors.
Marlon Devonish, Olympic relay gold medallist, said: “It will help them learn to stay focused and perform well when they’re in the spotlight at a high profile competition a skill which will be invaluable as they progress into the senior ranks.”
