A team of six athletes will compete for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland para juniors at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Jesolo, Italy on 6-8 May.

These athletes have been selected for the British team to provide an international competition opportunity for junior para-athletes following the postponement of the World Para Athletics Junior Championships and Manchester International this year.

It will be the first British vest for all eight selected athletes including Zachary Tandy (Nathan Stephens, DSW Para Academy) who competed at the WPA Grand Prix in Dubai last month. The F44 discus thrower is on year one of the Para Futures Academy and holds a personal best of 46.45m set last year.

Street 2 Stadium graduate Madeline Down (Dominic McNeillis) will compete in the T38 100m and long jump at her first competition outside the UK. The Halesowen athlete, an U15 athlete, competed at the Muller Indoor Grand Prix and Muller UK Indoor Championships in February, clocking a personal best of 8.46 for 60m.

Rebecca Scott had initially earned selection to the team, but unfortunately due to a clash with GCSE exams, she is unable to travel.

Sarah Benson, the Paralympic Pathways Manager at UK Athletics, said, “We are really pleased to be offering this opportunity to athletes who are progressing in the pathway. With the absence of the WPA Junior Championships this year, we were really keen to provide an opportunity like this to the para junior athletes.

“The Grand Prix will be a chance for these athletes to gain valuable international competition experience, going through the processes and experiencing the team environment which will be so important for these young athletes as they progress over the next few years.

“Earning your first British junior vest is a big moment in your career, so it is a proud moment for the athletes, coaches and support teams.”

The British para junior team for the World Para Athletics Italian Grand Prix:

Travis Anderson (Durham) – T20 400m

Madeline Down (Dominic McNeillis, Halesowen) – T38 100m and Long Jump

Andrew Greer (Torque Racing) – T54 100m and 400m

Bebe Jackson (Michelle Dawson, Harlow) – T44 100m and 200m

Zachary Tandy (Nathan Stephens, DSW Para Academy) – F44 Discus

Amy Thompson (Robert Halliwell, Wigan & District) – F40 Shot Put and Discus

Team Staff:

Job King – Team Coach

Pamela Robson – Team Coach

Cathy Walker – Team Coach

Sarah Benson – Team Manager