Matthew to be part of GB squad for pre-Paraylmpic tournament in Antrim
Banbridge District Council Chairman Cllr Joan Baird MBE, Arts & Events Assistant Danielle Fegan, Sports Development Assistant Sarah Porter and Sports Development Officer Gillian Dewart joined potential 2012 Olympic athletes Matthew Rollston (GB Wheelchair Basketball) and Mark Nesbitt (Archery) in celebrating Gilford and Banbridge being named as host locations for the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - Edward Byrne Photography INBL46-201EB
RATHFRILAND wheelchair basketball player Matthew Rollston will be part of a Great Britain squad heading to the Antrim Forum when it hosts an International Wheelchair Basketball Challenge on February 6-9.
Paralympic athletes from Italy, Poland, Great Britain and Turkey will compete in a pre-paralympic warm up tournament.
He will be one of two players from Northern Ireland to be included in the squad along with Paul McKillop from Belfast.
In announcing the tournament, Sports Minister Caral Ní C... said: “We are hosting four of the best wheelchair basketball teams in the world, all of whom have qualified for the 2012 Paralympics.
“This training camp comes on the back of successful badminton, boccia and table-tennis pre-games events which not only bring elite athletes to the North but also generates much needed economic benefits.
“This event demonstrates strongly that we have the facilities and expertise to be part of the Olympic and Paralympic dream.”
Local basketball teams are also to benefit from the visit of the athletes as the teams will be hosting coaching sessions with during the course of the tournament.
“Training events like this in the build up to the Olympics and Paralympics show young people the passion of sport and a chance to watch their own local heroes in action against the best in the World,” said Malcolm Tarkenter, Chair of the British Wheelchair Basketball Association.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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