Playground to Podium scheme to spot Paralympic talent

Paralympic swimming champion Sascha Kindred was at the launch

Teachers in Devon are being trained to help spot future Paralympic stars, under a scheme run by Sport England.

"Playground to Podium" in Plymouth is part of a nationwide initiative to train teachers how to recognise potential talent.

The young disabled people may then go on to receive PE teaching in schools and coaching in clubs.

It is part of a drive to give youngsters the chance to take part in five hours a week of PE and sport.

About a quarter of 16 to 19-year-olds with a disability play sport regularly, compared with a third of non-disabled youngsters, according to a recent Sport England survey.

'First step'

Paralympic swimming champion Sascha Kindred, who was at the launch initiative in Plymouth, said he hoped sharing his experiences would help to motivate and inspire others.

ParalympicsGB chief executive Phil Lane said Playground to Podium would help disabled people tap into sporting opportunities.

"Anyone selected today faces a long journey from club to international level, but this is an important first step for them," he said.

In the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, Britain finished second in the medal table behind China. Team GB won 102 medals - 42 of which were gold.