College Sports Students Inspired by Paralympian Danny Crates

Paralympic athlete Danny Crates visited Braintree College on Thursday 20 November and gave talks to BTEC Sports and BTEC Health Care students.

Year 1 students learnt about Danny’s sporting life as a rugby player before a car accident in Australia left him with his disability, and his achievements on the athletics track including World, European and Paralympic World Cup 800m gold medals. Danny then spoke to Year 2 students about the adaptations he has had to make to his training regime and how he overcame both physiological and psychological barriers to carry on with his sporting ambitions.

Sports lecturer Sarah Coleman said: "Meeting and talking to a well known and committed athlete will enable the students to complete their course assessments. Danny is a real inspiration to our students by showing that disability need not prevent participation and achievement in sport."

Pictured are Danny Crates and BTEC Sport students at the Essex Panathlon Challenge which took place on the same day in the College’s sports hall. The students assisted the organisers to coordinate a range of sports activities for the disabled young people taking part. Braintree College is the first venue in Essex to host a Panathlon Challenge and this pilot event precedes a full launch in 2009.