Ellis Whyler and Sarah Stanhope have been selected to represent England East Midlands at the UK School Games 2009 in Cardiff.

Ellis has been chosen for the long jump following her excellent form this season and is ranked second in the East Midlands (Counties of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Northants,)

Sarah has been chosen to do the hammer and is currently ranked number one in the East Midlands and ranked eighth in the UK for U17 women. Both girls are in their first year at the U17 age group.

UKSG takes place in Cardiff this year from the 3September 3-6. The UK School Games is a multi-sport event for the UK's elite young athletes of school age.

The sports programme has been increased for 2009 to include a new sport, track cycling, which combined with the existing programme of Athletics, Badminton, Fencing, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball brings the total to ten sports.

The integrated programme of disability events in Athletics, Swimming and Table Tennis increases the athletes competing in 2009 to over 1,500.

Each of the ten sports is combined into a four-day Games environment designed to replicate the feel of major event such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

The UK School Games seeks to create an inspirational and motivational setting which encourages more young people to take part and succeed in sport.

Responsibility for the development and organisation of the UK School Games lies with the Youth Sport Trust.

Since it was launched, six key themes have been created to ensure the UK School Games bring about systematic change in the way in which competitive opportunities are developed for young people and that a lasting legacy is created.

Sarah was in action at the weekend at Charnwood Stars of the future competition at Loughborough University.

She competed in the hammer and came first with a throw of 44.29m which is a new personal best.

She also came second in the discus also throwing a new personal best of 30.06m her first time over 30m in this event.

Under 15 boy Dominic Sykes finished his season in fine form with a throw of 50.47 earning him an excellent fourth place in the England Championships, which took place at Bedford on August 8.

Dominic is currently ranked fourth in the UK for the under 15 boys hammer.