Cumbrian youngsters given chance to shine in Paralympic Sports

2nd August 2011

Sunshine and blue skies were the order of the day at this year's County Athlete Assessment Days (CAADs), which were part of the Cumbria Schoolympics held last month at Sheepmount Athletics Track and Stadium on 12th July 2011 and at Penrith Leisure Centre on 13th July 2011.

The two events were organised by Active Cumbria as part of the national Playground to Podium programme, which was established by Sport England, Youth Sports Trust, UK sport, Parasport GB and English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) with the aim of Identifying and supporting emerging talent within disabled young people, across a number of sports.

Throughout Cumbria area over the last year, School Sports Coordinators from all the local School Sport Partnerships have been working with young disabled people in order to provide opportunities for them to participate and engage with a number of sports and physical activities. As a result of this work, and through a number of 'Ability Days', over 50 young disabled people were identified as having sporting potential and invited to take part in the CAADs on the 12th and 13th July 2011.

All the young people present had the opportunity to take part in 6 Paralympic sports over the two days including Athletics, Boccia, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball, Swimming and Football. Coaches from each of these sports provided fun coaching sessions for the young athletes and used the opportunity to assess whether any had the potential to progress within the sport and along its Paralympic pathway.

Any young people who are deemed to have prospects in any of the sports the National Governing Body will now signpost them to local training opportunities. A lucky few might get the chance to be fast tracked on to specific talent programmes and may get selected for the Paralympic Games as soon as London 2012!

This year's CAADs has shown that there really are some talented young athletes in Cumbria. And, with the added inspiration of the London Olympics and Paralympics next year, maybe we will have found a future Paralympian. 
The young athletes were also joined by inspiring local disabled athletes including Paula Johnson and Jeannie Darroch. Paula from Barrow, who competed for the GB Womens Wheelchair Basketball Team in Beijing 2008 Paralympics and Jeannie Darrroch a National and International Swimmer with Cerebral Palsy from Eden, gave young athletes an inspirational talk about life and sport with a disability. Paula said, "It's an honour and a privilege to be here to see children with all disabilities participating in sport. It's also a great opportunity for them to excel in their chosen sport and meet local coaches who can support them in access local clubs." And it seemed that the young athletes agreed, with one saying, "I've never done some of these sports before and would love to do them again."

Nicola Cartwright Development Officer (Disability Sport and Equity) from Active Cumbria said 'Playground to Podium isn't just about 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. Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy sport.'

Find out more about Playground to Podium. More>>>