FESTIVALS may traditionally be more mud and music than boots and bibs but one event to buck that trend was the South West StreetGames festival, a sports tournament with a difference.

Held at the Oxstalls Tennis Centre, the first ever South West StreetGames festival saw over 200 young people, from some of the region's most deprived areas in Swindon, Ivybridge, Cornwall and Gloucester, compete in a range of sports including football, cricket, rounders, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, StreetCheer, Basketball and Mountain biking.

The festival was an initiative established by youth sports development charity StreetGames, as part of its ongoing programme of activity in the region to help young people from disadvantaged communities access and enjoy sport.

Lewis Jones, South West Co-ordinator for the Festival said: "Our aim as a charity is to bring sport to young people from all social backgrounds in a way which engages them and encourages them to make sport a regular part of their lives.

"We do this each year by helping local providers set up schemes and initiatives to deliver sport and activities to young people in their areas."

"It has given many of the children that attend projects across the region the opportunity to learn what it is like to take part in a major sporting event, showcase the skills they have developed, both social and sporting, and to simply enjoy sport."

Also launched during the Festival was the Gloucester Cooperative StreetGames Young Volunteer programme which aims to develop young people's sports coaching and community leadership skills. Young volunteers (aged 16-25) from across the South West played an important role on the day, helping out with various activities and assisting with event organisation.

Tournament Results: StreetCheer won by Angies Angels (Cornwall); U16 Basketball won by Get Rid of That (Swindon); U14 football won by Bungle Boys (Cornwall); U16 football won by GLWon (Gloucester).