A BRITISH Paralympian fresh from success in Rio gave a special presentation to students at Swindon College yesterday in a bid to inspire them to follow their dreams.

As part of the Sports for Schools scheme, Paralympic footballer Jack Rutter shared his inspiring story of success against the odds.

Jack, 25, said: “I’m really pleased to be here today to speak to the students. Sports for Schools is normally targeted at primary schools but now they are trying to broaden their remit. They suggested I came along to share my story.”

At just 18-years-old, Jack was about to take the world of professional football by storm as a promising young player in the Birmingham City squad. But while on a celebratory night out with friends in Gloucester, his life changed forever.

An unprovoked assault left him with a fractured skull and brain damage – his professional football playing days were over.

But after pulling himself through bouts of depression and anxiety, he is now captain of the England and Great Britain Cerebral Palsy football team.

The GB team had huge success at last year’s Olympic Games in Rio. Although they didn’t win a medal, they came away as the fifth best team in the world, which is an accolade Jack is immensely proud of.

“The things I learnt in sport are fundamental to being a decent person and a committed member of the community,” said Jack.

“The skills that I picked up on the football field are transferable to everyday life – such as working as a team and looking out for people, and that’s something I’m hoping to show the students.”

Swindon College’s assembly hall was packed with pupils eager to hear Jack’s story. He showed them a few video clips, including a montage of his time in Rio, and urged them to “go for it”.

He said: “You should always take opportunities and try to learn from people because you never know where things will lead.

“Being part of the cerebral palsy team was truly amazing. I was apprehensive at first, wondering whether I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, but the whole experience has been unbelievable.

“I starting playing football when I was four years old. We all have a passion in life and football is mine. It changed my life when I found I could play Paralympic football really well.”

Sports for Schools offers athlete-led events to inspire kids to do more sport and raise money for PE equipment in schools.