UKSA announce Great Britain Team aiming for success at the Inas European Athletics Championships
The UK Sports Association for People with Learning Disability (UKSA) is pleased to announce the six athletes who will represent Great Britain at the Inas European Athletics Championships in Ankara, Turkey, 28th June to 3rd July 2016, an event sanctioned by the IPC.
Preparing for tough competition at one of Inas Europe’s top events and making their international debut for Great Britain are Reece Palmer (County Durham), Nathan Fleetwood (Lanark, Lanarkshire) and Paul Davidson (Inverness), who will be joined by Daniel Pass (Birkenhead, Wirral), Owen Miller (Dunfermline, Fife) and Declan Manning (Bungay, Suffolk).
The GB Team will be led by Jane Coia (Team Manager), supported by Deputy Team Manager/Coach, Tommy Patterson and GB Coach, John Kinder.
First time international Reece Palmer said “It’s my dream come true to be picked for GB. I want to come home with a medal”.
Fifteen year old Nathan Fleetwood commented “It’s exciting and I’ll give it my best. I’m aiming for top 3 or a gold medal”.
Team Manager, Jane Coia commented “The Great Britain Team is looking forward to this Championships. I’m pleased with the Team all of whom have come through a tough selection process. They are ready to show what they can do and for those selected for the first time it’s a great opportunity to expand their experiences on this new international stage”.
Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive, UK Sports Association said “Congratulations go to the athletes and staff selected to represent GB at the Championships. We are confident we have a good mix of experience, enthusiasm and talent to do Britain proud.”
“Inas events are an important part of the performance pathway, and I hope that British sport sits up and takes notice in this Paralympic year. British sport needs to give these athletes the recognition they deserve and have earned. Investment in learning disability sport at this level is at an all-time low, despite legacy promises. This needs to change to preserve the future of talented athletes with learning disability in performance sport.”
10 countries are expected to compete at the Inas European Athletics Championships.
The Great Britain Team is selected and managed by UKSA with the support of its four Home Country members, Scottish Disability Sport, Disability Sport Northern Ireland, Welsh Sports Association for People with Learning Disability and Mencap Sport in England.
The INAS World Athletics Championships are organised by the Turkish Sports Federation (TOSSFED) under the auspices of Inas Europe.
For further information on the Great Britain Team, images and interviews contact UKSA on 0207 490 3057 or email info@sportexceluk.org