St Albans’ Kyle Powell is hoping to use his experience of winning bronze at the Sainsbury’s 2014 School Games to push on and secure a spot in the Great Britain squad for next year’s World Championships.

Powell was one of more than 1,600 talented school children descended on Manchester to compete in 12 sports across four action-packed days last week.

And the Oaklands College pupil, representing England South East, impressed at the Regional Arena – clocking a time of 23.97 seconds in the ambulant 200m to finish third.

Powell regards the Manchester track as one of his favourites on the circuit and believes that helped him finish on the podium considering he was not in top condition.

“I’m very happy with how things went considering I’m not in shape and I know I’m not in shape,” said Powell.

“I just went to enjoy the time as last year was so amazing. I didn’t really have any expectations because you don’t know what might happen as things come up and surprise you.

“It was nice to come up against a few new boys. I enjoyed the Games and Manchester is special for me because this is where I got my first GB vest in that very stadium.

“These games showcase the next generation of GB athletes either able bodied or not. Who knows how many of the next superstars could have been competing there?

“My season is now over and I’ll be back to full time training. The main aim for next year is the World Championships in Doha. I would love to go to also be able to compete in Rio – that’s the dream at the moment.”

The Sainsbury’s School Games is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and is delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

The event has helped to launch the careers of many British athletes, including heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds who were watching the next generation of British stars coming through.

And Johnson-Thompson believes Powell will emerge a more developed athlete from his experiences in Manchester.

“At the Sainsbury’s School Games you’re part of something bigger than one athletics competition,” Johnson-Thompson said.

“It’s a multi-sport event and the athletes are in a village atmosphere and they get to be part of an opening ceremony as well which you never have in athletics.

“The School Games reminds me of the Olympics. You’re there because you are the best in your region and you want to do well in the competition. It’s a huge stepping stone and you learn and mature as an athlete.”

The Sainsbury’s 2014 School Games, which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, was held in venues across Manchester from 4-7 September 2014. Visit www.2014schoolgames.com for more information.