Teenagers across the UK are to get the chance to join one of 3,000 new after school clubs offering Olympic and Paralympic sports, Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw has announced.
Six million pounds of Government and Lottery money is being invested in creating a network of new after school clubs in secondary schools and colleges across England.
The clubs will give young people of all abilities the opportunity to play a range of Olympic and Paralympic sports – badminton, boccia, fencing, handball, table tennis, volleyball and wheelchair basketball.
The £6 million will pay for new equipment and qualified coaches to run the clubs alongside young volunteers.
The clubs are part of the Government’s drive to deliver a lasting sporting legacy ahead of hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Schools will develop the clubs in partnership with sports’ national governing bodies, Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust.