Harpenden teenager Emily Wood will chase success at the Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games in Manchester between September 3 and 6.

One of the 1,600 athletes taking part in this year’s Games, 16-year-old Emily from Sir John Lawes School will represent South East England in the athletics competition.

In total, 12 sports, seven of which include disability disciplines, will be contested at the four-day competition which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

Wood will be following in the footsteps of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars including Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and world-record breaking swimmer Adam Peaty who all competed at the School Games before going on to elite success with Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

She said: “I would definitely like to come away with a Sainsbury’s School Games medal, and I’m really excited to watch the other sports that are happening throughout the weekend.”

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.”