#BritsDownUnder – Good luck Great Britain at the Inas Global Games!
It’s finally here, the Inas Global Games is upon us and as we speak British Athletes are getting ready for the Opening Ceremony in Brisbane and the start of this elite sport extravaganza. Competing in athletics, cycling, tennis and cricket, a mix of new and experienced athletes make up a strong British contingent.
Cricket is already underway as the Team work hard to beat the hosts Australia. Yesterday saw cricketers storm to victory winning their ODI and taking the series 3-0.
Part of the Global Games for the very first time, the cricketers will join athletics, cycling and tennis at the Opening Ceremony at Brisbane City Hall on Saturday afternoon 12th October.
Over 1000 elite athletes are expected in Brisbane, representing 47 countries worldwide. Happening every 4 years, in the year ahead of the Paralympic Games, the Inas Global Games comprises 10 sports; Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Cycling, Futsal, Rowing, Swimming, Taekwondo, Table Tennis and Tennis.
The Games, organised by Sport Inclusion Australia under the auspices of Inas are set to be the biggest and strongest event yet.
Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive, UK Sports Association said “It’s a proud moment to see the GB Team come together and head off to any Championships, but the Global Games is particularly significant. I am delighted this year to see cricket as part of the programme. We have strong British athletes out in Brisbane across all four sports and I am confident that the podium is in the future for many of them.”
“The very best of luck to each and every one of the British athletes, thanks to the staff that are supporting them, to the families and friends that have flown out to cheer them on and to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) for working with us to make this happen.”
GB Team (Athletics, Cycling, Tennis and Cricket)
Athletics: Sam Fernando (Cupar, Fife) Declan Manning (Bungay, Suffolk), Tommy Patterson (Team Manager/Head Coach)
Cycling: Lauren Booth (Chippenham, Wiltshire), Kiera Byland (Bolton, Lancashire), Tom A Hara (Team Manager/Head Coach), Janis Malone (Team Support Staff)
Tennis: Dominic Iannotti (Ayrshire, Scotland), Fabrice Higgins (Chorley, Lancashire), Thomas Mellor (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire), Oliver Beadle (Upminster, Essex), Anna McBride (Gedling, Nottinghamshire), Karen Ross (Team Manager/Head Coach), Nick Lawrence (Coach), Clare McDonald (Team Support Staff)
Cricket: Chris Edwards (Cheshire) captain, Dan Bowser (Devon), Jordyn Dore (Hampshire), Jonathan Gale (Surrey), Ronnie Jackson (Essex), Alex Jervis (Yorkshire), Martin Henderson (Middlesex), Rob Hewitt (Yorkshire),
Dan Levey (Surrey), Kieran McKinney (Staffordshire), Andrew Mowatt (Kent)
Jack Perry (Cheshire), Kester Sainsbury (Middlesex), Tom Wilson (Lancashire),
Tayler Young (Surrey), Ian Martin (Head of Disability Cricket), Derek Morgan (Head Coach), Stuart Murphy (Manager), Tom Flowers (Assistant Coach)
The Inas Global Games run from 12th to 19th October 2019.
The Cricket Tour commenced on 7th October 2019.
Athletes on the GB Team are classified in Inas class II1 (intellectual impairment). For more information eligibility and classification for athletes from Great Britain contact the UK Sports Association.
The UK Sports Association (UKSA) is the official Great Britain member of Inas, the international federation for Para Athletes with Intellectual Impairment, Down’s Syndrome and Autism.
Classification for the GB Team is managed by UKSA, with the GB Team entry managed in collaboration with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).
Follow coverage through UKSA’s social media announcements on twitter and facebook. Tweet or post your support using the hashtag #BritsDownUnder and #Brisbane2019.
Live-streaming announcements will be made by the Global Games Local Organising Committee shortly. More information on the Inas Global Games, including scheduling and ticketing can be found on their website.