Youngsters around the county might be returning to school this week, but it's not all gloom and doom! With free sports coaching on offer in 13 different sports somewhere close to you, it's quite the opposite!

This coaching is provided as part of the lead up to the P&G Surrey Youth Games, which will take place over the weekend of 18th and 19th June in Guildford. Each Surrey borough and district council enter teams into the Games, and the free coaching is offered as part of their team selection process.

So, if you're aged 7-16, and fancy having a go at badminton, basketball, boccia, boxing, cricket, football, hockey, judo, netball, rugby, squash, swimming or tennis, get in touch with your local council sports development officer to find out which sport is available for you and how you can take part. Or, contact the organiser's website www.activesurrey.com to find out more.

The event, now in its 15th year, is truly open to all, and is successful in getting young people into sport. Take Molly Taylor, who has represented Waverley for the last four years, each time in a different sport. In her first year, she played U9 girls football, and was so successful that she was later selected for the Fulham football Academy.

The following year Molly competed in athletics, then Hi 5 Netball, and last year she moved on to Basketball! All this, whilst still playing football for Fulham. Molly has enjoyed her Youth Games experiences so much that this year she is volunteering to help to organise the Waverley Girls Football team, even though she is still only 13.

Linda Jacks, P&G Surrey Youth Games Event Manager, says that the Youth Games succeed in getting youngsters active: "The P&G Games allows young people to try out a sport that they haven't had the chance to do before, and all at no cost. Then, if they like it, they are given details of their local club so that it's easy for them to continue. What happens is that once they've taken part at the Games weekend, and experience the mini-Olympics atmosphere, they get bitten by the bug and want to continue." She added "Another exciting fact about the Games is it offers people already playing a sport the next level of competition. So, existing club members get the chance to play for their local council, which is a stepping stone between club sport and county sport. Lots of Youth Games competitors go on to play for Surrey after the Games having gained in confidence from their experience."

Free coaching sessions start the week following the Easter weekend. Contact your local council to find out more.