A PROJECT offering learning and physically disabled youngsters in Redcar and Cleveland the chance to take part in weekly sports activities is to kick off next week.

A consortium consisting of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Sports Development team, the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, Tees Valley Leisure and the parents' associations of Kilton Thorpe Special School in Brotton and Kirkleatham Special School in Redcar, has been working since January to get the project off the ground.

Sportsability is an inclusive games programme featuring activities and equipment specially designed for people with physical disabilities.

Neil Russell, Youth Sport Development Officer at Redcar and Cleveland Borugh Council, said he was delighted with the new scheme.

"It couldn't have come at a better time. In July, Sport England published the results of a survey of young disabled people's attitudes to sport. It found that sporting participation rates for young disabled people are much lower than for young people in general. We hope that in Redcar and Cleveland we can go some way to redress that balance.

"It is only fair that every youngster in the borough, whatever their ability, has access to regular sports activities."

Glynis Calvert, whose sons Daniel and Gary attend Kirkleatham School, has been heavily involved in planning the club.

"At the moment there is very little for our children in the borough as far as sporting activities go. It will be a chance for them to be with their friends and make new friends.

"Very often our children are left out of team games. It will be great for us parents to watch them taking part on a level playing field."

The club will meet at Redcar Leisure Centre every Saturday, from 10am until noon, starting from Saturday, September 15.

For further details call Mr Russell on (01642) 444398.