Among them is Commonwealth Games 200 metres gold medallist Leon Baptiste and 2011 British women's boxing champion Amanda Coulson.

Also unveiled were gymnast Craig Heap, badminton star Anthony Clark, snowboarder James Barrow, wheelchair basketball's Joe Bestwick, archer Mel Clarke, skateboarder Neil Danns, rugby league player Paul Broadbent, diver Peter Waterfield, hockey player Rhona Simpson, rower Toby Garbett and judoka Tom Reed.

All 13 will be visiting secondary schools across the country to inspire struggling students through sport.

Sky Sport Living for Sport is organised with the Youth Sport Trust, who select athletes for their unique stories in overcoming significant challenges to achieve their success.

Through athlete mentors sharing their stories through the initiative, thousands of youngsters have already had their lives changed for the better.

There are now a total of 36 athlete mentors, which already includes former BMX world champion Mike Mullen (pictured) and women's hockey star Alex Danson.

Baptiste said: "Sport is such a powerful tool to use for improving life skills.

"From my own personal experiences I know exactly how sport can truly help a person strive to get the best out of life.

"To have the opportunity to share my own story with young people is a real privilege; I'm very excited about the year ahead and meeting more inspirational students across the UK."

Darren Campbell, an ambassador of Sky Sport Living for Sport, added: "2012 is a huge year for sport and this academic year Sky Sports Living for Sport is bigger and better than ever.

"This fantastic new line-up of inspiring Athlete Mentors will be key to us reaching and motivating many more young people in schools across the UK this year."

Sky Sports Living For Sport is currently in its ninth year and, so far, over 1,500 schools have been involved.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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