Playground to Podium

It has been developed by the Youth Sports Trust, Sport England, UK Sport and Paralympics GB in consultation with NGBs since 2007 and delivery began in 2008.

The purpose of the programme is to increase the number of disabled athletes participating in elite and competitive sport, and to ensure that any disabled athlete who is part of the programme has the opportunity to take part in high quality sporting provision.

The ASA is also focusing on ensuring sustainable school/club links, high quality clubs and sessions and further support for swimmers who have the potential to progress onto British Disability Swimming Pathways. This is further enhanced by providing support and mentoring opportunities to teachers and coaches.

Playground to Podium Currently involves three stages

• Identifying Ability days
• County Athlete Assessment Days
• Exit Routes

IDENTIFYING ABILITY DAYS

Ability days are designed to assess young disabled swimmers. Those who meet the ASA assessment criteria will be signposted to the County Athlete Assessment Day. Click here for further details.

For examples of how to set up and assess swimmers on ability click here.

COUNTY ATHLETE ASSESSMENT DAY (CAAD)

Swimmers signposted from the aquatics ability days will attend the County Athlete Assessment Days, organised by the ASA.

Click here for further details.

EXIT ROUTES

The final stage of the programme is to ensure all swimmers who are part of the P2P process have access to high quality, appropriate and sustainable exit routes. These exit routes may be in the form of either regional/national talent programmes, or via local clubs. Click here for further details.

To contact your regional Playground to Podium officer please contact your regional office.

PLAYGROUND TO PODIUM RESOURCES