ALMOST 100 children from 17 Borders schools enjoyed a taste of a multitude of sports at the Paralympic Multisport Festival held by Borders Sport and Leisure at the Tweedbank Sports Centre in Galashiels last week.
The children had the chance to try out seven disability sports – football, rugby, tennis, athletics, boccia, bowls and cricket – through a series of 20-minute introductory sessions.
They were also given the opportunity to be photographed with the Paralympic torch.
Alan Oliver, Borders Sport and Leisure’s disability sports officer, explained: “The aim of this festival was to provide the youngsters with opportunity to try as many different sports as possible in one morning in the hope they would find at least one they enjoy and want to take forward.
“The event was timed to take place as close as was possible to the end of the Paralympics as we know how inspiring that has been. We are looking to try and harness this enthusiasm for sport and turn it into a long-lasting element of the children’s lives.”
David Ferguson, chairman of the Scottish Borders Disability Sports Group, added: “This was a great day enjoyed by the youngsters and coaches alike.
“The Borders has an impressive record of producing world-class para-athletes and we hope through events like this to be able to continue this legacy. It was really encouraging to see so many young people come along.”