It's massive, marvellous and absolutely magic.

This year's East Midlands Airport Leicester-Shire & Rutland Youth Games, held at Loughborough University yesterday, attracted around 1,300 competitors aged 10 to 16 and about three times as many spectators.

What they witnessed was a sporting treat of the highest order with the youngsters, representing the nine local authorities of Leicestershire and Rutland, aiming to win 16 events across 10 sports.

For most, it was an experience they will never forget. And, for a few, it could be the first steps on a path that one day could lead to Olympic glory, a fact not lost on the organisers.

Noel Haines, sports development manager of LRS, said: "It is the biggest day of their sporting careers and gives them their first real experience of competition.

For some, however, it could be their first steps on a ladder that could bring them great success."

Going hand in hand with that is the LRS's Go Gold scheme, which has emerged over the last 12 months.

It supports talented young athletes in full-time education who are currently performing at various levels of their sport, including those recognised by their national governing bodies as being potential Olympic and Paralympic medal winners.

So far, 99 have received grants, many of them having cut their teeth at the Games, which are now in their 11th year and look set to continue going from strength to strength.

The logistics are staggering. Haines said: "There's a massive amount of work that goes on behind the scenes.

"There are numerous selection events at local level over a four-month period that can involve anything up to 8,000 youngsters, which makes this the largest multi-sport event in the county.

"Then there is the big day itself, the planning of which can take three to four months. And we need around 500 volunteers for various tasks to make sure everything runs smoothly.

"In addition, we are grateful to East Midlands Airport for their support, which is critical to the event and its future."

Loughborough University is a spectacular setting for the event. It has a massive heritage, too. The great Seb Coe is an old boy, the athletics stadium bears the name of Paula Radcliffe and there is a massive roll of honour at the pool for those swimmers who represented Great Britain at the last three Olympics. Who knows, maybe one of those competing yesterday will achieve something on the same scale. But the Games are not just about winning.

There was pride and enthusiasm among all the teams, and those witnessing the closing ceremony were left in no doubt that they had had a most enjoyable day.

Each team paraded around the athletics track, bellowing the name of their particular district. Some were more successful than others in terms of trophies but everyone taking part received a medal to prove that, indeed, every single one of them was a winner.

Tomorrow, the University stages its first Leicester-Shire & Rutland Inclusive Youth Games with around 350 athletes competing in seven sports. It promises to be a great day and could be the start of something really big for some of them. Indeed, a future county Paralympian may emerge from the action.

RESULTS – Athletics yr 5-6: North West Leics; yr 7-8: North West Leics; badminton yr 9-10: Oadby and Wigston; basketball yr 5-6: Blaby, yr 9: Blaby; cricket yr 5-6: Blaby; girls football yr 5-6: Melton, yr 7: Melton; hockey yr 5-6: North West Leics, yr 7-8: Rutland; netball yr 5-6: Charnwood, yr 7-8: Charnwood; rugby, girls tag yr 7-8-9: North West Leics, mixed tag yr 5-6: Blaby; swimming yr 4-5-6: Charnwood; table tennis yr 7-8: Leicester City.