Shropshire coach 'proud' after inclusive ice skaters win 98 medals

Coach Sarah Carter praised her team's "absolutely incredible" medal tally at the Inclusive Skating Virtual World Championships

A woman who coaches a team of inclusive ice skaters said she was "ridiculously proud" after they collected almost 100 medals at the world championships.

Sarah Carter said her team's medal tally was "absolutely incredible" after they won big at the Inclusive Skating Virtual World Championships this month.

The group, Inclusive Skating, trains at Telford Ice Rink.

Ms Carter said she had created the team to include people with additional needs or learning or physical difficulties.

"I purposefully did that, as I felt like people were not aware that skating was for them in particular," she explained.

The group collected 76 gold medals, alongside 14 silver and eight bronze at the event on 2 and 3 December.

Thea, from Worcester, won five gold medals in December

Ms Carter, said the team had also included people with ADHD, anxiety disorders, cystic fibrosis, dyslexia and visual impairments.

She said she was inspired to take on her first pupil, who is autistic, several years ago after his coach left.

"Our team has just grown and grown and grown throughout the years and I love it - absolutely love it," she said.

"It's quite nice to show people what they can achieve when people believe in them."

Thea, who won five gold medals, said she enjoyed competing and that it was "fun" to make up the routines.

The 10-year-old from Worcester said she "really enjoyed" skating and had "happy tears" from collecting her medals.

Cameron Sargent, 22, collected 10 gold medals at this year's event

Cameron Sargent, who took up inclusive skating at the age of seven, won the team's first bronze and silver medals in 2012.

Now a multiple world champion, the 22-year-old picked up 10 gold medals at the 2023 event, having previously competed in Austria, Finland and Canada.

"I just love the thrill of gliding across the ice, it just does not make me feel anxious in the slightest," he told BBC Radio Shropshire.