Sports Coach UK and the British Paralympic Association have joined forces to launch a joint athlete/coaching development programme.

The 'Paralympians into Coaching' project aims to provide a pathway of support into coaching for retiring paralympic athletes. The project will look into issues paralympic athletes face when becoming coaches, for example safety, and try to ensure there is a steady flow of coaches coming in from a disabled background.

'I would not have achieved anything without experienced coaches behind me,' said one of Britain's most successful paralympic athletes, Tanni Grey Thompson. 'Coaches need patience, the ability to bring the best out of people, to be a motivator and a counsellor. To do this they need the right training and guidance from those already at the top.'

The initiative will help to ensure that new coaches get the correct training and help to ensure the continued success of the British Paralympic team. Details: +44 (0)113 274 4802 or www.sportscoachuk.org