Paralympian praises Angmering pupils

More than 30 students from the school competed in the sixth annual Sussex Parallel Youth Games, taking home a stunning array of awards including three gold medals, one silver medal and a bronze medal.

Determined students from Angmering’s Lavinia Norfolk Centre, which caters for young people with special needs, competed against 440 other special needs students from 18 special schools across Sussex.

The squad took a first place in Boccia Power League – a sport similar to bowls that tests competitors’ accuracy when rolling coloured balls towards a white, marker ball.

The school also won a gold medal in the New Age Kurling Super League, an indoor form of curling.

There was also individual success from swimmer Alice Saunders, 13, who won the 50m breast-stroke final.

Silver and bronze medals were presented to the golf team and the second boccia team, respectively.

Judy Murton, from the school, said: “This is a truly fantastic achievement for all the students who took part.”

The games were held at the Triangle, in Burgess Hill, in front of Hove Paralympian, Sophia Warner and renowned BBC sports commentator, Paul Dickenson.

Sofia congratulated the Angmering team members on their achievements during an awards ceremony.

She said: “I saw some really talented competitors.

“Giving these young people the chance to participate and compete, regardless of their individual circumstances, provides a truly fantastic opportunity.”

The school hopes to better its medal haul next year, for the 2012 parallel games.