County Athlete Assessment Day at Brickfields - News - Plymouth SSP

County Athlete Assessment Day at Brickfields

Youngsters dreaming of competing for Britain at a future Paralympic Games got the chance to demonstrate their sporting abilities - in the hope of being talent-spotted ahead of the 2016 and 2020 Games.

The assessment day, held at the Brickfields Centre in Plymouth, is part of the national Playground to Podium programme which will help address the fact that, at present, only a quarter of 16-19 year olds with a disability play sport regularly, compared to a third of non-disabled youngsters.

Playground to Podium isn't just helping the most talented athletes. Every young person entering the programme is being directed towards further sporting opportunities - be it club participation or further coaching - part of a lasting Paralympic participation legacy.

For the first time, school teachers are being trained in recognising potential talent in young disabled people - with those recognised going onto receive quality PE teaching in schools and coaching in clubs. The activity is part of the Government’s drive to give all young people the chance to take part in five hours a week of high quality PE and sport.

The assessment day saw young people participating in football, wheelchair basketball, table tennis and athletics - with coaches and talent scouts from the relevant sports governing bodies on hand to provide expert guidance.

British Paralympic gold medal swimmer, Sascha Kindred OBE, attended the assessment day to see for himself how the youngsters were working towards achieving their own Paralympic dreams.

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