By Katie Falkingham

COMPETITION might not have been on the agenda but Stonehouse table tennis star Billy Shilton insists the opportunity to attend the Rio Paralympic Games has well and truly whet his appetite for Tokyo 2020.

The 17-year-old was one of 28 athletes selected for the British Paralympic Association's Inspiration Programme for Rio 2016.

That meant he travelled to Brazil to experience everything a Paralympic Games has to offer, from living in the athletes’ village to facing the media spotlight.

For Shilton, who now lives and trains in Sheffield, the trip was made extra special as his teammate Will Bayley – with whom he won the 2015 Slovenia Open – clinched the gold medal in the class seven final.

And he admits his determination to follow in Bayley’s footsteps and represent his country on the greatest stage of all has grown even stronger thanks to his experiences in Rio.

“I was really honoured to be selected for the programme and going to Rio was an amazing experience,” said Shilton, who has benefitted from being a SportsAid athlete since 2013.

“I went there to experience all the different aspects of a Paralympic Games, and what goes on, and I really enjoyed every moment.

“I managed to go to the Opening Ceremony which was definitely the highlight of the trip for me, as well as watching lots of different sports in addition to table tennis.

“It’s really motivated me to go on now and get to Tokyo. That’s always been my long-term aim, to qualify for a Paralympics, so hopefully I can do that.

“Watching Will win gold was amazing. He works so hard so I could kind of see it coming, but he’s done really well, I’m so happy for him.

“He’s always been a role model to me, the way he conducts himself both in and out of the hall, so I’m going to work really hard and hopefully one day I can do the same.”

SportsAid is the national charity that helps the next generation of British sporting superstars, helping them with financial support and recognition during the early stages of their careers.

At the recent Rio Paralympic Games, SportsAid alumni won 104 of ParalympicsGB’s 147 medals, with 68 per cent of the team having received support from the charity.

And Shilton insists he wouldn’t be the athlete he is today without their support.

“SportsAid’s support is so important to me,” added Shilton, who received his 2016 award from Sport England’s ‘Backing the Best’ scheme.

“Without them, I wouldn’t be up in Sheffield training and fulfilling my goals, so I’m really thankful for all that they do for me.

“They help me a lot with funding, allowing me to go to competitions and qualify for big tournaments, as well as training camps, equipment, and all the aspects I need to be able to become a top athlete.

“I think to follow in the footsteps of successful athletes, young athletes like myself need that support. That’s what SportsAid does, it’s a massive help to so many and they are just brilliant.”

You can make a real difference to the next generation of British athletes heading for Tokyo 2020 and beyond by getting involved in SportsAid Week – a brand new fundraising initiative taking place from Monday 26 September to Sunday 2 October 2016. Please visit http://www.sportsaid.org.uk/sportsaidweek/ to find out more.