Steps to Inclusion, which is an innovative coach education programme that strives to enhance the number of high quality participating opportunities available to people with disabilities across South Yorkshire, was recognised at an Inspire network event at the University.

The event provided an opportunity for projects which have been awarded the Inspire Mark to come together, share ideas and best practice, learn more about London 2012 resources and initiatives and to engage in practical workshops to help develop their projects.

Michelle Dent, project lead for Steps to Inclusion said: “We feel very proud to be awarded the Inspire Mark by Lord Sebastian Coe and Hugh Robertson and privileged to be recognised as the 500th Inspire project. We very much hope that this recognition proves to be a catalyst for driving the programme forward.”

Lord Coe, said: “Part of our vision in hosting the London 2012 Paralympic Games is to showcase the Games as a sporting competition for elite athletes, so I’m delighted to be awarding the 500th Inspire Mark to Steps to Inclusion.

“London 2012 will have literally inspired change and personal bests in millions of people across the UK through the Inspire programme and it was fantastic to make this presentation at the incredibly successful Inspire network event in Yorkshire, where many organisations were attending to find out more about how they can benefit from becoming part of the London 2012 Inspire programme.”

Hugh Robertson said: “I am very pleased to have come to Yorkshire to help present the 500th Inspire Mark to Steps to Inclusion. I have seen great Inspire Mark projects from across the region at the network event. All of them prove the power of London 2012 to inspire people, particularly the young, to get involved and benefit from the Games.”

Young people from Supporter To Reporter made this video of Inspire network event.

For more information on the London 2012 Inspire programme, visit www.podium.ac.uk/inspire-mark.