COLLEGE students across the Tees Valley will compete against each other in Middlesbrough this week as part of a regional sports initiative.

More than 250 students aged 16 to 19-years-old from ten colleges will show off their sporting talents in the third Tees Valley Games, held at Middlesbrough Sports Village on Thursday.

The students will compete in sports including dodgeball, football, rush hockey, touch rugby and fencing.

Matti Hemmings, the UK’s leading BMX Freestyle specialist will perform a lively routine to open the Games at noon and the students will then have the opportunity during the afternoon to work with Mr Hemmings and learn some of the skills he demonstrates.

John Moreland, vice chair of the local organising group and head of Polam Hall Free School in Darlington, said: “We are looking forward to an exciting afternoon of competition celebrating the talent and enthusiasm of the young people at Tees Valley Colleges.

“Every year the Games grow with more colleges and students playing a greater variety of non- traditional sports and new formats of games such as Rush Hockey and Touch Rugby.

“Students choose the sports and our aim is to provide opportunities for young people to enjoy being active during a very busy time in their lives.”