From its humble beginnings as part of a rehabilitation programme for Second World War veterans, disabled sports have blossomed into a high-profile, highly-competitive discipline. For next year’s 12th Paralympic Games in Beijing, and closer to home, developments are afoot to make sure Britain’s children lead the way in the Paralympic 2012.

“It’s an exciting time,” says Martin McElhatton, the chief executive of WheelPower, a wheelchair sports charity that helps to give disabled children the opportunity to practise sport. Through its recent partnership with Norwich Union, WheelPower has launched the Norwich Union Junior Heroes programme, which runs throughout the year. It culminates in Norwich Union’s National Junior Games, a competitive event for disabled youngsters every September in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire. The new programme holds day and weekend sports camps for children aged 6 to 12, giving them the chance try out sports from tennis and basketball to wheelchair racing. For older children up to 18, there are regional weekend sports camps to hone their skills.

“All children, including the disabled, need to be more active,” says McElhatton. “We have to tackle obesity, get children to live an healthier lifestyle and give them greater independence.”

The National Games and camps also give disabled children a place where they are not the exception: “When the kids first arrive they can be nervous of trying things out, but when they see other children doing it they become inspired. By the time we get to the disco at the end of the weekend, their confidence is through the roof,” says McElhatton.

Children attending the camps and games improve their self-esteem and gain the confidence to do more in their everyday lives. Their parents benefit, too. “The games work on a secondary level as a kind of extended support group,” says McElhatton. “They talk to other parents about the social, school and personal issues they have encountered in a supportive and positive environment. They also keep in touch and learn how to make activities more inclusive for their own child.” However, recent changes to the school system have resulted in new challenges. Many disabled children are entering mainstream education and special schools, once relied on to provide adapted sports programmes, are closing down.

For the wheelchair racer Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, one of Britain’s best-known Paralympians and winner of 11 gold medals, this is a significant shift. “The challenge is actually finding the disabled children and and making sure that they experience real inclusion in their school,” she says.

“There are still a few links missing,” she says. “One is the club-county link; there’s so much going on at a grassroots level but it’s difficult to find a place to send the really talented athletes.”

Thompson’s criticism is indicative of her desire to give disabled sportspeople the best start. “The biggest change I’ve seen since I began competing is the acceptance by the public,” she says. “There’s more media coverage and that’s brought more sponsorship, more money, more events.”

For more information on the Junior Heroes programme, log on to norwichunion.com/join ourteam and click on Playing Our Part, and then Grassroots

A sporting ace

Louise Hunt, 16, has spina bifida. She plays wheelchair tennis for the British Women’s Team and is a seven-time London Mini-Marathon winner

“I used to pester my parents to play tennis with me all the time. When I was about 10 they took me to the National Junior Games, a big event for disabled athletes. While I was there I got the chance to have a go at basketball, racing and tennis. The coaches were supportive and helped me to set up a tennis training programme.

“Meeting other disabled kids was great. One of the huge benefits to competing is the social life. Mine has improved 100 per cent and it’s been a huge confidence boost. I travel all over the world by myself.”

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