A SPECIAL sports open day will be hosted at Tavistock College next Thursday (October 22) giving youngsters the chance to try out its brand new facilities.

The college will welcome pupils from local primary schools for a mini-Olympics event and Year 7 and 8 students from the college will join the challenge in the afternoon, taking part in four events to test their sporting prowess.

The college's community sports development manager Duncan Godfrey said: 'We will be hosting a fun, team-based event that tests the core athletic disciplines of speed, endurance, jumping and throwing.

'It promises to be a great day that I hope will be well supported by all the children's family and friends.'

The new £3-million facilities include an all-weather athletics track and indoor complex.

Mr Godfrey added that unfortunately the timescales involved in the college's sports development meant

most of last year's sports days had to be cancelled.

'Once the build was complete our first thought was to provide an opportunity for some of these youngsters to enjoy our competition-standard athletic facilities,' he said.

The day will be supported by QuadKids, an organisation designed to give children the chance to try out track and field events and identify the stars of tomorrow.

The company's national co-ordinator, Peter Barry, will be helping run the event along with Keith Reid, Armada Athletics co-ordinator south west, and two England Athletics officials.

Alan Herdman and Adam Tofield from Tavistock Athletic Club will also be on hand to test students in the 50-metre sprint, 400-metre jog, standing long jump and Vortex Howler throw.

Each group will carry a flag on a lap of the pitch during the opening ceremony to help build team spirit.

This is the first event showcasing the top new sports facilities at Tavistock College before the official opening in November.