Games to inspire future athletes

Friday 20th April 2012

Disabled young people will be encouraged to play sports at an event held in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Playground To Podium Talent ID event, run by South Yorkshire Sport, will be held at the English Institute of Sport, in Sheffield on June 14.

The initiative aims to inspire people of all abilities to play sport either recreationally or competitively and hopefully find new talent to nurture for upcoming Paralympic games.

Participants will take part in athletics, boccia, football, table tennis and wheelchair basketball. A separate event later this year will be put on for swimmers, divers and water polo players.

Michelle Dent, partnership development officer for South Yorkshire Sport, said: "Playground To Podium is a dedicated initiative designed to identify and nurture disabled young people with the potential to be elite athletes.

"The Talent ID day is the perfect opportunity for young people, whatever their ability, to try out different sports and be signposted to local clubs and future training opportunities.

"We hope for many youngsters this is the first step to realising their dream of one day representing their country at the Paralympic Games. We also hope the hype and enthusiasm surrounding the nation hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games this year will inspire youngsters and spur them on to perfect their sporting talents."

To attend call Amanda Hutt, business support officer at South Yorkshire Sport on 0114 2235674 or email amanda.hutt@sysport.co.uk.

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