On 21 March, Scotland and Edinburgh rugby players Craig Smith and Hugo Southwell joined pupils from Balerno High School, Edinburgh, at Edinburgh Airport to launch the capital’s biggest youth sports event.

The BAA Edinburgh Airport Youth Games 2007, supported by leisure trust, Edinburgh Leisure, will take place on Thursday 17 May at Meadowbank Stadium and will include rugby for the first time.

The event, now in its eighth year, attracts more than 1,400 young people aged between seven and 15 from schools across the capital, who will compete in activities including: athletics, basketball, boccia, football, golf, gymnastics, swimming, hockey, tennis, volleyball and rugby.

Scottish full-back, Hugo Southwell, said: "The Youth Games is a massive stepping stone in the participants' futures in sport. Rugby being included for the first time is great for the development of the sport in Edinburgh. Hopefully these guys who are starting at this level will come through and go on to achieve success in the future."

The theme of the games this year is ‘Your Health’ with the aim of raising awareness of health issues and highlighting how taking part in sport and physical activity can improve the health of young people.

Edinburgh Airport managing director, Richard Jeffrey, said "Sport has a hugely important role to play in the development of young people in the community and, with a special focus on health, we hope that the games will help raise awareness of the importance of keeping fit amongst the young people who take part."

Edinburgh Leisure’s chief executive, Keith Jackson, added: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with BAA Edinburgh Airport for an eighth successive year to deliver what promises to be an exciting and fun day of competition and participation for the young people of Edinburgh."

Photograph: Scotland and Edinburgh rugby player, Craig Smith, launches the BAA Edinburgh Airport Youth Games 2007