The scheme got underway last April, and UK Sport has been working closely with the coaches since.

A number of them are working with their athletes to get them ready for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and their final meeting this week took place at Beaumont House in Old Windsor.

One of them, UK Athletics' Phil Peat, said: "The course was a tremendous experience and I was privileged to be nominated by UK Athletics.

"As a developing coach, the learning process continues to evolve.

"It was a pleasure to meet fellow coaches from other Paralympic sports and this helped facilitate friendships and provided mutual support throughout the course."

Meanwhile, Disability Table Tennis coach Neil Robinson said: "PCDi has had a significant impact on my coaching career – the process of moving from being an athlete to coach is not easy.

"PCDi has helped me to first look at myself, then other people and has assisted me in getting the best out of myself and others.

"It has given me the chance to meet and exchange ideas with coaches from other sports and establish 'networks'.

"As well as opening my mind to development opportunities, I feel the programme has benefited me hugely and I am already a better coach.

"I would highly recommend any coach in a similar position to participate in such a development opportunity."

Steve Harris, the GB Para Canoeing performance manager, spoke to the coaches at Beaumont House, describing some of the experiences of his own career.

UK Sport's coaching officer and facilitator of the PCDi course, Adam Greaves, said that this was not the end of the road as far as coaching development goes.

"Although this was the final workshop, it is not foreseen that this is the end of the coaches' development journey, but merely another milestone along the road," he said.

"The coaches should be very proud of their achievements to this point and we hope they will take what they have learnt on PCDi to help inform their immediate and long-term development opportunities running into and post London 2012."

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