Paralympic medallist Nick Beighton was on hand to help launch the new Good to Great! Oswestry Sports Network on Friday.

More than 80 people crowded into Oswestry Cricket Club to hear his inspirational presentation of how he loved sport as a child and fell in love with climbing before joining the Army. It was then that he stood on a landmine and sustained multiple life-threatening injuries, including losing both legs.

His talk was on how to cope with dips in motivation, such as when he was in hospital and his message, through his own experience is to “Climb the mountain, one step at a time” and enjoy the journey.

Rob Walker, chairman of Oswestry Sports Forum, explained why the group is launching the network, while Stuart Manford, who instigated the idea, described his story from swimming for Oswestry Otters to representing his country in the Commonwealth Games. With Oswestry Sports Forum, he hopes to develop a strong network where young aspiring athletes and their families can support each other and benefit from a series of quarterly talks from experts, on subjects which are relevant across all sports.

The next meeting will be in mid-June with a talk on sports psychology by a specialist from Loughborough University.

Oswestry Sports Forum wishes to thank the Castle Hotel in Bishops Castle for generously sponsoring the launch evening. They would also like to thank Oswestry Cricket Club for providing an ideal venue, excellent supper and helpful staff.

Membership of the Good to Great! Network is by invitation. Any local teenager who would like to be nominated, should ask their club coach or contact the Oswestry Sports Forum secretary susie@oswestrygames.co.uk