TWO Olympians and an ex-professional footballer are among a new group which will be travelling the country to inspire Welsh youngsters.

Gymnast Frankie Jones, swimmer Tom Haffield and footballer Christian Roberts have been signed up by Sport Wales and the Youth Sport Trust for the new ‘Passing the Baton’ programme. It is an athlete mentor programme that will be delivered in selected secondary schools and their cluster primary schools across Wales.

Beth Fisher (Hockey), Fiona Tuttiett (Rugby Union), Ruth Owen-Evans (Cross Country Mountain Biking) and Bryony Raine (Athletics) are the other new recruits to make up the group.

The athletes will work with teaching staff and Young Ambassadors on projects that contribute to improving pupils’ physical literacy and attainment in education.

The athlete mentor programme forms part of the Physical Literacy Programme for Schools (PLPS), which is funded by Welsh Government and is linked to the 40 Pathways to Success schools from across Wales.

Passing the Baton also fits in with the UK-wide Sky Sports Living for Sport programme, meaning that schools can access increased support and mentor days to extend that package available to each school.