Tom wants to inspire disabled athletes

ONE of Somerset’s leading disabled athletes Tom Minchington will be inspiring local young people at two new sports and leisure clubs which open this week for adults and young people with learning difficulties at Preston Sports Centre in Yeovil.

Nineteen-year-old Tom, who is a former pupil at Preston School and who has Cerebral Palsy, will be helping to organise the Strawberry Club for adults with learning difficulties which opens at the centre on Wednesday (April 17) as well as a new football club for disabled players of all ages which begins on Sunday (April 21).

Tom, who is an assistant coach with the Yeovil Olympiads, has won a range of medals for sprinting and the long jump at a number of National Junior Disability Championships.

The Strawberry Club which will run on a weekly basis at Preston Sports Centre and is the latest in a series which has been opened by the 1610 Leisure Trust at its centres across the South West for adults with learning difficulties or physical disabilities.

The club will offer a range of different sports such as basketball, short tennis, badminton and boccia.

PHOTO: Tom Minchington helped to officially open the new Preston Sports Centre (right) last October which is run by the 1610 Leisure Trust.

Tom, who will be leading both clubs, says that it is important to provide local people with disabilities with facilities and ideas to inspire and enjoy.

“I never let my disability hold me back and athletics has given me so much enjoyment and fulfilment so it is vital that local young people with learning difficulties or disabilities can enjoy a range of activities and sports on their doorstep,’’ he said.

‘’Preston Sports Centre is very well equipped and we are planning a lot of fun and interesting activities for the Strawberry Club. We hope the football club will inspire enough players to establish a really good team to play in a disability football league.”

The Strawberry Club will open on Wednesday from 5pm to 6pm and the new football club will begin on Sunday from 10am to 11am.

For more information please contact Preston Sports Centre 01935-413477.

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