Paralympic News

UK Athletics WCPP Paralympic Funding Announced

Following the conclusion of the IPC Athletics World Championships in New Zealand, which saw a record 38 medal haul for the Aviva GB & NI Team, UKA has named those athletes invited onto the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) in the final phase of the selection process for 2010/11, the penultimate competitive season prior to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In the first phase of funding selection reviews in November 2010, only eight of the Paralympic programme athletes were reviewed with the remaining athletes selected for the IPC World Championships in January 2011 automatically retained until 1 March 2011.

A total of 43 Paralympic athletes have now been included in this cycle of support that will play a crucial role in the build up to London 2012 and Rio 2016. The programme, which runs annually from December to November, is split into two levels of funding - Podium and Development - each with strict criteria and standards which must be met for selection throughout the year with the support of UKA staff.

Three-times IPC World Champion David Weir (coach: Jenny Archer) – reigning Paralympic champion over 800m and 1500m - is among 26 Paralympic athletes named at Podium level alongside fellow World Championships gold medallists Bethany Woodward (coach: Jonas Dodoo), who moves up through the WCPP from Development level, and Richard Whitehead (coach: Liz Yelling) who is new onto the programme for the 2010/11 cylce.

15-year-old Jade Jones (coach: Ian Thompson/Tanni Grey-Thompson), an IPC World Championships finalist in three events, is rewarded for her progress with selection onto the Development programme alongside Aviva GB & NI team mates Scott Moorhouse (coach: Shelley Holroyd), Jonnie Peacock (coach: Hayley Ginn) and Kieran Tscherniawsky (coach: Jim Edwards), also finalists in New Zealand on their senior international debuts.

“We’ve had to make a number of tough decisions to make, but the performances of our athletes in New Zealand gave us a good indication of who could make the step up to the highest level of competition,” said Peter Eriksson, UKA Head Coach - Paralympic.

“Our more experienced athletes did, in the main, continue to deliver medals on the global stage and have been rewarded for their efforts, while our junior athletes – many of whom were selected onto the team for high quality competition experience – have proved that while Rio 2016 may be their realistic target, London 2012 is very much a possibility, and a podium one at that.

“This support from UKA and the National Lottery gives every athlete the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to graduate into an exceptional professional and in turn continue to evidence why they have been included on the WCPP going forward.”

 

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Stoke Mandeville Stadium to host International Tournament

Stoke Mandeville Stadium, home of the Paralympics, is pleased to be holding the International Sitting Volleyball tournament; a triangular international series between Great Britain, Canada and the Netherlands on the 23rd -25th March 2011.

Supported by Harpers Fitness at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, WheelPower and Bucks 2012, it will see some of the best sportsmen in the field battle it out to win the tournament.

Matt Rogers, the Great British Team Leader commented, “We are really excited about bringing International Sitting Volleyball back to Stoke Mandeville Stadium.  This competition is the start of what will be the most important year in Great Britain’s Sitting Volleyballs history, where we hope to confirm our place in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. 
Our sport has grown rapidly in the past few years and we look forward to showcasing and sharing our sport with all those at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.”

Charlie Walker, a member of the British team commented, “Having trained at Stoke Mandeville Stadium both before and after I lost my legs I am really excited about representing my country for the first time on home soil at this iconic venue.  The prospect of playing two great teams at the place where the Paralympics all started will be a dream come true for me and for the rest of the team.”

Ian Seabrook, Business Development Manager at Stoke Mandeville Stadium commented, “We are thrilled to be hosting such a prestigious event and can’t wait to welcome the three teams at the end of March.”

For further information on attending the event please contact Stoke Mandeville Stadium on 01296 484 848

 

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Manchester cyclist Sarah Storey is to embark on the first step to qualify for both the Olympic Games and Paralympics at London 2012.

The 33-year-old will compete at the Track World Cup in Manchester aiming for one of the six GB places.

 

Storey has raced able-bodied rivals on the road, at national championships and the Commonwealth Games.

 

She has won five Paralympic golds over four Games in the pool, adding two golds on the bike in Beijing in 2008.

 

After a chronic ear problem forced Storey to retire from swimming, she at first doubted whether she would even be eligible to compete at the on a bike at the Paralympics.

 

"I was a bit dubious on whether I was even a classifiable athlete," she said. "What's one hand missing when you're on a bike?

"It wasn't until a few months down the line I was convinced of that and agreed to be classified. There's a big contribution from your upper body."

In Manchester, she will go up against Lizzie Armitstead, Katie Colclough, Claire Galloway, Wendy Houvenaghel, Dani King, Rebecca Romero, Joanna Rowsell and Laura Trott, aiming to be part of two teams of three riders.

 

"We've got a fantastic array of talent and huge strength in depth," she added. "It just spurs you on because there's no one person better than anyone else.

"It's strange sometimes when you're in a line-up and you think I'm the Paralympic champion and Becs Romero is the Olympic champion in the same event.

 

"I'm getting to compete alongside her now, which is just phenomenal."

Although she wants to compete at the Olympics, Storey has always prioritised the Paralympics and will compete at the Para-cycling Track World Championships next month.

 

"I'm in the fortunate position that I've got dual nationality as it were," she said. "And I can explore team pursuit and have the blessing of the Paralympics side of the sport to come back and hopefully be a better athlete because of it.

 

"It's going to be good to find out. You never know unless you try."

 

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ParalympicsGB Chief Phil Lane leaves Organisation

ParalympicsGB chief executive Phil Lane is to leave his post with immediate effect after 10 years in charge.

 

During his time in charge, GB finished second in the medal table at both Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.

 

It means the association will be looking for a new head just 18 months before the 2012 London Paralympics.

 

"This exciting time for British sport is providing an ideal environment for me to pursue new career opportunities," said Lane, a former headmaster.

"The staff team at ParalympicsGB is well-placed to deliver fantastic support to British Paralympic athletes and ensure their continued success.

 

"I am looking forward to watching them compete in what promises to be the best Paralympic Games ever."

 

ParalympicsGB chairman Tim Reddish added: "Phil has chosen to focus attention on new challenges and I respect that.

 

"I would like to thank Phil, on behalf of myself and the board, for the work he has done over the last 10 years promoting the Paralympic movement and his significant contribution in successfully taking GB teams to the last five Winter and Summer Paralympic Games.

 

"We wish him all the very best in his future endeavours."

 

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