DOUBLE Commonwealth gold medallist Sharron Davies is backing two West Devon students to shine at next year?s Paralympic Games in Beijing. Britain dominated at this year?s Paralympic World Cup, winning 18 medals in the pool in Manchester, with seven of those being gold. And Plymouth-born Sharron is convinced the Kelly College duo of Claire Cashmore and David Hill will return from China weighed down with silverware. ?We?ve got to be one of the best Paralympic swimming squads in the world and there?s no doubt in my mind that Claire Cashmore and David Hill will continue to succeed in Beijing,? said Sharron, who is the current patron of the Disabled Sport England and The Sports Aid Foundation. ?The British squad has to be one of the best in the business and at the last few Paralympic Games have dominated certain events in the pool. ?Both are now experienced and Britain?s success at the Paralympic World Cup shows the obvious progress that is being made. ?I?m excited about the group of youngsters coming through and if they all continue to improve and have the correct coaching then there?s no reason why they can?t progress on the international stage.? And former Olympic silver medallist Sharron applauded the contribution of Kelly College?s facilities to the South West region. ?Kelly College is vital to the area but we are desperately in need of more Olympic sized pools,? said Sharron, who trained at the College aged 15. ?They do provide fantastic facilities but we need more pools in the South West. ?If Plymouth was to get a big Olympic sized pool it would make a huge difference and help us discover international champions of the future. ?Kelly was an ideal place for me to train at excellent facilities and also maintain my education ? it played a big role in my progression.?
