Paralympic stars to inspire youngsters at Norwich event

Matthew SparkesTwo Paralympic stars will visit a Norwich sports event next month to inspire the county's young disabled athletes. Bronze medallist Mel Clarke and shot putter Danny Nobbs will appear at the Active Norfolk Youth Games at the UEA Sportspark on Thursday, June 10.Matthew Sparkes

Two Paralympic stars will visit a Norwich sports event next month to inspire the county's young disabled athletes.

Bronze medallist Mel Clarke and shot putter Danny Nobbs will appear at the Active Norfolk Youth Games at the UEA Sportspark on Thursday, June 10.

The event is designed to provide a fun, safe and fair sporting festival for children and young people with disabilities.

The games are now in their seventh year after a successful debut in 2003.

Every entrant will compete for their school or college, which are each being assigned the name of a previous Olympic host city.

It will be opened by the Norfolk Dance Group, which will be performing a set routine for the children.

The games are open to pupils from every special and mainstream school with physical or sensory disabilities.

The two Paralympians will be greeted by more than 250 of Norfolk's school children, who will be competing in Olympic sports including rowing, tennis, athletics and archery.

Laurie Hull, director of Active Norfolk, said: 'With the emphasis on fun and enjoyment, we hope this great festival of sport will help engage children with disabilities in sport, and who knows, maybe even unearth Paralympians of the future.'

The opening ceremony will take place at 10.15am and events will begin at 11am.

Presentation of medals and the closing ceremony will be held at 1.45pm.