An inspiring footballer has begun working with our students to help them become good role models for sport.

Alistair Patrick-Heselton visited our school for the first time last month as part of his role as an Athlete Mentor for the Sky Sports Living for Sport programme.

We have signed up to the programme to give a group of our Year 8, 9 and 10 students the opportunity to learn how to become good sports coaches.

CTS PE Teacher Dan Rogers said: “Alistair was very inspirational and his visit was amazing.

“He did two assemblies during his visit and then spent time working with our young coaches.

“The students who have been selected for the programme were thrilled to be part of it.”

Year 9 student Tia is one of our young coaches.

She added: “Alistair was very friendly and easy to work with.

“He talked to us about team work and I’m really looking forward to him coming back and working with us again.”

Alistair was highly rated as a young footballer and played for Wycombe Wanderers before he was spotted by QPR where he was involved in the club’s U17, U19 teams and reserves.

He also spent a spell on loan at Oldham Athletic before a cruciate ligament injury halted his progress and saw him pursue a career in Quantity Surveying instead, playing semi-professional for Northwood at the same time.

Further spells at Helmond Sport in Holland and Bishops Stortford followed before another life-defining moment came in 2006 when playing for Wingate & Finchley.

His best friend at the time died in a car crash in which Alistair was a passenger and also suffered terrible injuries.

Following a couple of months in a coma, and being told he may never walk again, he thought his footballing days were over. But four years later he was contacted by The FA and given details of CP football for Cerebral Palsy or brain injury sufferers.

Since then Alistair has played in the CPISRA World Championships for England and in the Paralympics GB team at London 2012.