New sports company launched in Shropshire.

A new sports coaching company aimed to give children with disabilities and special needs the chance to expand their range of sports has been launched in Shropshire.

Darren Price has launched Sportsm8tes in a bid to give youngsters with special needs, challenging behaviour and mobility problems the chance to enjoy the same sports as their peers.

Mr Price who lived in Bishops Castle until recently moving to Shrewsbury due to the expanding area his business is covering, said he had enjoyed his training with Energize - Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin County Sports Partnership - and thanked the organisation for giving him the opportunity to help others.

“Sport can have a massive effect on someone’s life - on their personal life at home, on their education and of course on their overall health.

“I have seen youngsters too scared to get into their PE kit due to confidence issues but yet within weeks they have discovered their confidence and have, sometimes for the first time, found something they really love doing. It’s amazing to watch,” the 42 year-old sport enthusiast said.

“As a youngster I spent many hours on the rugby pitch and that was where my passion lay as a youngster and continued into adulthood but now there is so many more opportunities - multi-sports offers something for everyone and dodgeball for example is proving extremely popular.

“I think children and young adults are more aware of their health and the importance of sport and fitness than ever before.”

The father-of-three has been touring schools across South Shropshire, Shrewsbury and Telford, along with schools in the West Midlands, offering his coaching sessions to both mainstream schools and schools for children with Special Educational Needs as part of the curriculum and also as part of the after-school club programme.

“The biggest reward is working with youngsters with Special Educational Needs - they gain so much from sport.

“Gone are the days when youngsters believe they can’t participate because of a disability. The wonderful paralympics and of course the Olympics has inspired people to take part, believe in themselves and inspired them to be the best at what they love and this is still continuing day - it really is a legacy.

“I am witnessing this passion from youngsters with varying disabilities every day in schools across Shropshire and it is awe inspiring.

“What is important is they are all enjoying the outdoors, improving their health and fitness in whatever way is best for them and most importantly of all they are having fun and smiling,” he said.

Mr Price set up his own business after working in the family farm machinery business since leaving school.

“I wanted to pursue my real dream and that was to work with children within sports.

“Such a strong passion for sport doesn’t disappear and I wanted to pass that on to the next generation.

“The first few weeks have been extremely busy and I have enjoyed working with some of the best schools in the area.

“The facilities the youngsters have access to these days are amazing. Telford in particular has some wonderful secondary schools with outstanding facilities.”

Youngsters from 6 Telford and Newport schools enjoyed an afternoon of sport at the excellent Phoenix Academy with the Sportsm8tes coaches on Wednesday competing in the first Sportsm8tes rugby challenge .