IT'S not the winning, it's the taking part that counts - that is once again the theme for the seventh Littlewoods-sponsored Merseyside Youth Games taking place this weekend.

The Wirral team, who won the event in 1993 and 1994, when it had a competitive nature, consists of 430 competitors who will take part in 20 different sporting events from handball to squash, football, rugby, volleyball and more, on Saturday and Sunday, at Kirkby Sports Centre.

They will be participating with teams from Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, and St Helens.

Helping to prepare the Wirral team for the Games has been Jayne Molyneux, of Bebington, who has been capped 25 times for the English Women's Rugby team. Jayne is also Wirral's Assistant Sports Development Officer.

Julie Robinson, Principal Sports Development Officer at Wirral Leisure Services Department, said: "There is no overall trophy and no points recorded. The problem was three boroughs (Wirral, Liverpool and Sefton) used to win the event and the other teams would always finish below them. We have evened it out, encouraging development rather than competition.

"We are encouraging new developing teams, and hope they stay together after the Games. It is the taking part that counts."

As a prelude to the Merseyside Youth Games, a Mini Games for primary school children takes place tomorrow (Thursday), also at Kirkby Sports Centre and also with a non-competitive nature, just to encourage youngsters to play sport.

There is also an event - adapted quick cricket - for special need schools only.

Action on both Saturday and Sunday is from 9.30am-4pm.

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