Ultimate aim to produce the next paralympian and elite disability footballer
Playground to Podium (P2P) is a dedicated initiative designed to identify and nurture disabled young people with the potential to be elite athletes and performers. Within mainstream and special schools, School Sport Co-Ordinators will work with physical education professionals to identify young disabled people who show shoots of sporting potential. All disabled children and young people are eligible to be considered for entry into the podium pathway, not just those with impairments that are covered by the Paralympics.
Key partners - Sport England, English Federation of Disability Sport, British Paralympic Association, Youth Sport Trust, National Governing Bodies, County Sports Partnership and County Football Associations
Schools Programme
At the end of 2008 students at Samuel Pepys school in St Neots and Spring Common school in Huntingdon were identified as having above average talent in P.E. in Key Stage 2 and 3 (9-12 years old). Students at St Ivo school were recognized in Key Stage 3 and 4 (years 12-16). These students were invited to attend Out of School Hours Learning (OSHL), based at their schools running from January till June 2009. A rota of community coaches from various sports clubs was created to visit the schools from; tennis, cricket, Hunts FA representing the football and Sports Academy.
All three schools have commented that the programme has had a significant impact on student progress. Through accessing regular coaching sessions students have refined their skills and have gained confidence in performance. Due to the success of this programme the schools intend to continue with a regular OSHL once the P2P sessions concluded.
Identifying Ability Day
On Wednesday, 20 May 2009 Hunts School Sports Partnership supported by Hunts FA held a talent identification day for mainstream school students with additional needs. It took place at St Ivo Indoor Centre with 28 students participating. Young Sports Leaders from Hinchingbrooke and St. Ivo schools managed different activities and teams. Coaches and teachers assessed the student’s performance using the P2P criteria.
Students were assessed on the following:
- Invasion games
- Striking and fielding games
- Net and wall games
- Athletic activities: moves
- Athletic activities: jump
- Target activities
Following this the students’ results were perused and some students were then invited to attend a weekly OSHL Multi Sports Club at the St. Ives Indoor Centre. This was well supported by a Community coach and Hunts FA lead the co-ordination and delivery of the football specific elements.
Schools that took part:
- Hinchingbrooke School
- St. Ivo School
- Longsands College
- St. Neots Community College
The aim of all the development training and assessments is to provide an opportunity for representatives from the participating National Governing Bodies of Sport, for example Hunts FA, to assess the young people as to whether they have the potential to progress within a specific sport.