8 May 2008

The Norwich Union GB & NI team are looking forward to fine tuning their preparations for this summer’s Paralympic Games by competing on home soil at the Paralympic World Cup on Sunday 11 May.

Tim Jones, Director of Disability and Team Leader explains the importance of the competition, now in its fourth year:

“The Paralympic World Cup has been a prominent feature in our calendar for a number of years now. Out of a potential 160 events programmed for Beijing (across event groupings and classifications), this weekend’s programme for Athletics will cover 30 events.

“The event represents a fantastic opportunity to expose some of our younger athletes who are now supported by the World Class programme and aiming to qualify for their first Paralympic Games. We have selected 6 athletes that are 18 years old or younger, which highlights the young talent that is coming through.

“Competing in the World Cup, amongst others, will be a handful of Chinese athletes. Whilst this will be a taster for what we are likely to experience in Beijing, it provides no real clues into the strength of the Chinese Team we will face in September.

“I will be looking for athletes to rise to the occasion, show some good early season form, and make a strong statement through their performances about their aspirations for this important year”

Amongst the leading British athletes to look out for are three times Paralympic Champion Stephen Miller (Gateshead Harriers), who will be competing in the Club and seated discus. David Weir (Unattached) will be racing over 1500m and 400m in the T54 category, events at which he holds the World Record after another impressive victory in the London Marathon. Daniel West (Cambridge & Coleridge AC), aiming for his fourth Paralympics in Beijing will be competing in the seated shot put.

Chorley’s Michael Churm and Graeme Ballard will enjoy some home support in Manchester having already achieved the qualifying standard set for Beijing, both will race over 100m and 200m. Another home favourite will be 18-year-old Ian Jones (East Cheshire) racing over 100m and 400m.

Wheelchair Racer Shelly Woods (Blackpool & Flyde) aiming for her first Paralympic Games this summer will be doubling up over 800m and 1500m in Manchester. Katrina Hart (Birchfield Harriers) has withdrawn from the event due to injury and will be replaced by Hazel Simpson (Jarrow & Hepburn) who recently recorded the T36 qualifying standard for 100m at the BUSA Championships.

Victoria Silk (Ashford AC / Dwarf Athletics Association), Thomas Green (Marshall Milton Keynes) and Jenny McLoughlin (Wales FDSW) are new names to look out for on Sunday; all three young athletes will be making their GB & NI team debut. Silk will be competing in the F40 shot put, Green will be in the seated discus and McLoughlin will be racing over the 100m and 200m.

Norwich Union Great Britain & Northern Ireland Athletics Team:

Men

Brian Alldis (St Edmunds Pacers), T54 – 1500m/ 400m/ 100m              

Graeme Ballard (Chorley AC), T36 – 100m/ 200m  

Mickey Bushell (Birchfield Harriers), T53/54 – 100m

Michael Churm (Chorley AC), T37 – 100m/ 200m              

Matthew Cliff (Liverpool Harriers), T12/13 – 100m/ 400m               

Neil Fachie (Aberdeen AAC), T12/13 – 100m/ 400m               

Thomas Green (Marshall Milton Keynes) – Seated discus

Jamie Harding (Blackheath & Bromley), T37 – 100m/ 200m           

Ian Jones (East Cheshire), T44 – 100m/ 400m              

Chris Martin (Mansfield Harriers) – seated discus

Stephen Miller (Gateshead Harriers), F32/51 – Club / seated discus            

Kieron Murphy (Birchfield Harriers), F32/51 – Club                         

Karl Nicholson (Manchester Kestrals), T53/54 – 100m

Daniel Nobbs (British Wheelchair AA) – Seated Shot Put

Tushar Patel (Velocity Wheelchair Racers), T54 – 1500m                        

Richard Schabel (British Wheelchair AA), F32/51 – Club/ Seated Discus          

Nathan Stephens (Wales FDSW) – Seated Shot Put                  

David Weir (Unattached), T54 – 1500m/ 400m              

Daniel West (Cambridge & Coleridge / Notts AC)  – Seated Shot Put

Andrew Williams (Wales FDSW)  – Seated Shot Putt

Women

Tracey Hinton (Cardiff AAC), T11/12 – 100m/ 200m               

Beverley Jones (West Cheshire AC), F37/38 – Shot / Ambulant Discus

Jenny McLoughlin (Wales FDSW), T37 – 100m/ 200m   

Kim Minett (City of Portsmouth), F40 – Shot Putt                    

Victoria Silk (Ashford AC/ Dwarf Athletics Association), F40 – Shot       Putt

Hazel Simpson (Jarrow & Hepburn), T36 – 100m / 200m

Anne Wafula-Strike (Harlow Running Club), T54 – 100m/ 200m/ 800m

Claire Williams (Carmarthen Harriers) – Ambulant Discus

Shelly Woods (Blackpool & Fylde), T54 – 1500m/ 800m