WALES’ LONDON 2012 PARALYMPIC HOPEFULS
ARCHERY
PIPPA BRITTON
From:
D.O.B:
Hometown:
Coach:
Disability:
Originally Cowbridge
27/05/1963
Newport
Tim Hazell
Spina Bifida and scoliosis
Britton underwent major surgery in 2006 and her coach, Tim Hazell, supported her return to full fitness
to secure three world records. In fact, just ten days after starting back shooting after her operation, she
lifted silver at a European Grand Prix.
Perhaps it is no surprise that her role model is Kelly Holmes – “because she has stuck to her guns
through setbacks and injury but in the end all her hard work paid off.”
Her outings at World Championships have proved fruitful. In 2007 and 2009, she helped Great Britain
take team gold. At the three previous World Championships, she came away with two individual silvers
and a bronze. Although she missed out on a medal after placing fifth in Beijing, she has continued to
enjoy success, gaining a silver medal in the European Championships in Vichy, France in 2010. She is
currently ranked No.2 in the world so it would seem that a medal might just be in the offing in London.
She can often be found either training at Llantarman Archery Club or the Sport Wales National Centre in
Cardiff where she also receives support from the Sport Wales sports science and medicine team.
Her physical training not only consists of shooting but she also swims for general fitness. Her
preparation for the podium also includes regular sports psychology sessions as she believes that mental
training and visualisation is the key to success.
ATHLETICS
JAMES BALL
From:
DOB:
Coach:
Event:
Disability:
Ponthir (Torfaen)
26 June 1991
Jane Coia
T13 100m, 200m
Visual Impairment
James is gearing up to earn selection and book his place at the London Paralympic Games. In 2011, he
got a taste of what it’s like to compete on the international stage when he competed at the Paralympic
World Cup. He just missed out on the 100m medals in fourth place.
James enjoyed a fruitful 2010, winning 100m silver and 200m bronze at the Paralympic World Cup and
double gold at the IWAS European Open. He also clinched gold to claim the title of 2009 Welsh Open
senior 100m champion.
James has the visual impairment Achromatopsia, which results in vision problems in bright light
and means he has to wear dark contact lenses to compensate. He also has Nystagmus in
one eye, which means he has involuntary movement of the eye and reduced vision.
He would love to teach drumming or work in a recording studio.
ALED SION DAVIES
From:
DOB:
Coach:
Event:
Disability:
Twitter:
Bridgend, now Cardiff
24 May 1991
Anthony Hughes
F44 Discus & shot putt
Hemilia of right leg, affecting him from right hip downwards
@AledDavies2012
Aled is rapidly becoming one of Britain’s hottest Paralympic prospects. He trains alongside Nathan
Stephens under the watchful eye of coach Anthony Hughes. He likes ‘throwing kgs around’ and eating
big steaks!
His role models include Nathan and Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson: “Nathan's a bit of a machine. He puts
me to shame in the gym. He benches 132kg and generally puts a lot of effort into his sport. When I see
the effort he puts into his throws it makes me want to improve. When Tanni used to train with us she
was really inspiring.”
Notable performances in 2011 include gold and silver in the shot and discus at the IPC World Athletic
Championships in New Zealand. In May, he secured discus bronze at the Paralympic World Cup.
He studies at UWIC in Cardiff. He was not always destined to be involved in athletics as he began his
career in the world of swimming. He competed for Bridgend Surf Life Saving Club at age of seven before
he made his switch to athletics.
Before competing, Aled likes to listen to rock music to psych himself up.
His talents have been cultivated by the Disability Sport Wales Academy which is designed to ensure that
young Welsh disability athletes showing medal potential are provided with the essential starting blocks.
KYRON DUKE
From: Cwmbran
DOB: 12/10/92
Event: F40 Javelin
Kyron impressed at his first senior World Championships which he won bronze at the IPC World
Athletics Championships.
It was his first major athletics event but he is no stranger to the spotlight having carved a successful
career for himself as a powerlifter - becoming World Champion in October 2009. He also represented
Wales at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
"I would love to get to London 2012 and I will be doing all I can to make it there and this has given me a
big boost towards that and hopefully I can show people how good I am."
Sporting talent runs in the Duke family. His cousin, Gareth, is a Paralympic swimming medallist.
Kyron is also a graduate of the Disability Sport Wales Academy.
TRACEY HINTON
From:
DOB:
Event:
Disability:
Cardiff
19 March 1970
T11 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m
Blind
Tracey - who has competed in five Paralympic Games from Barcelona 1992 through to Beijing 2008 - had
cancer of the retina aged four which resulted in her losing her sight.
Her most recent international outing at the IPC Athletics World Championships in New Zealand brought
more success when she won silver in the 400m, bronze in the 200m and finished fourth in the 100m.
The current World Record holder in her class in the 800m, Tracey is considering a return to the half mile
event in the countdown to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
In her career, she has racked up six Paralympic medals:
2000 Paralympics: silver (800m), bronzes (200m & 400m)
1992 Paralympics: silvers (200m & 400m), bronze (100m)
DANIEL LUCKER
From:
DOB:
Abergavenny
12 March 1993
Event:
Coach:
Twitter:
T54 Wheelchair racing (100m up to 1500m)
Jenny Archer
@lightninglucker
Dan is an accomplished wheelchair racer who has won five medals at the World Junior Championships
for two years running.
At the 2011 Championships, he claimed gold in the 400m, three silvers in the 200m, 800m and 5000m
and bronze in the 100m.
He was forced to withdraw from the 1500m – his best event- as his racing chair suffered a puncture just
as he was lining up to race.
Dan has had a hugely successful junior career, winning his age-group category in the London Mini
Marathon for five years on the trot.
Dan is another talented graduate of the Disability Sport Wales Academy.
JENNY MCLOUGHLIN
From:
DOB:
Event:
Coach:
Disability:
Chepstow
03/10/91
T37 100m, 200m
Darrell Maynard
Cerebral palsy
Chepstow talent Jenny Mcloughlin celebrated her birthday in style – she turned 19 on the day of the
Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Delhi. She went on to win silver in the 100m.
She has already represented Team GB at a Paralympic Games. She was just 16 and finished in her heats
of both 100m and 200m.
She is coached by Darrell Maynard and her talents have been cultivated by the Disability Sport Wales
Academy which is designed to ensure that young Welsh disability athletes showing medal potential are
provided with the essential starting blocks.
Jenny considers Lance Armstrong to be her role model. In her spare time she enjoys horse riding and
supports Manchester United FC.
JOSIE PEARSON
From:
DOB:
Event:
Coach:
Abergavenny
3 Jan 1986
Wheelchair racing
Peter Eriksson
Discipline:
T52 100m, 200m, 400m
Josie Pearson has already competed at a Paralympic Games – but as a wheelchair rugby player. She
travelled to Beijing and became the first woman ever to represent GB in the sport at a Paralympics.
But the Abergavenny sportswoman is also a talented wheelchair racer and will be hoping to earn
selection for London 2012.
Josie broke her neck in a head on collision five years ago – aged just 17. Her boyfriend, Daniel Evans –
aged 19 – died in the crash.
She is coached by Peter Eriksson, UK Athletics’ Paralympic Head Coach. He is one of the world’s most
decorated coaches; to date he has coached athletes to win an incredible 119 medals at the Paralympic
Games since 1984.
NATHAN STEPHENS
From:
Event:
D.O.B:
Coach:
Twitter:
Kenfig Hill, Bridgend
F57 javelin and discus
11/04/1988
Anthony Hughes
@JavelinStephens
Nathan is a clear cut medal contender for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The javelin star missed
out on a medal at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008. He made up for this disappointment by winning gold
at the Paralympic Athletics World Championships in New Zealand in 2011.
This places him as favourite when the Games roll into London in 2012.
Before committing to athletics, Nathan showed promise in a number of sports. He even travelled to the
2006 Winter Paralympic Games in Turin as part of the GB sledge hockey team.
While his main event is javelin, he also has a chance to qualify in the discus.
It was Nathan’s ninth birthday when he tried to board a freight train which he describes as a ‘bad game
of chicken’. His left leg was amputated at the hip and his right was severed above the knee.
CLAIRE WILLIAMS
From:
DOB:
Event:
Carmarthen
29/09/87
F12 Discus
Claire switched from Jujitsu to athletics at the age of 12 and was Welsh Schools Champion for hammer
and discus.
She is the UK record holder in the discus as well as the British champion and has also been junior World
record holder. In 2004 she was the youngest Welsh athlete to compete at a Paralympic Games and
threw a personal best of 35.26m. In Beijing she repeated her performance from the 2004 Athens
Paralympics, placing fifth in the discus. Claire placed sixth in the recent IPC Athletics World
Championships in New Zealand.
Outside of athletics she admits there is little time for any other hobbies except supporting the Welsh
Rugby team. GB athlete, Kenny Churchill is her partner; and together they have a daughter, Gracie, who
was born in October 2007.
Career highlights:
2008 Paralympics: 5th (F12/13 discus)
2008 Paralympic World Cup 10th discus
2004 Paralympics: 5th (F13 discus)
BEVERLEY JONES
From:
DOB:
Event:
Coach:
Queensferry
17/10/74
F37 Discus/Shot putt
John Parkin
Beverley has successfully combined sprinting with shot, winning T37 100m and F37 shot golds on
successive days at the 2005 European Championships.
She then went on to collect a bronze medal for Wales in the 100m EAD at the 2006 Commonwealth
Games in Melbourne but has recently concentrated more on throwing.
Beverley won GB’s first gold at the 2006 World Champs with a World Record, at the time, of 10.57m in
the F37 shot.
This year she won discus silver at the IPC World Athletics Championships.
OWAIN TAYLOR
From:
Event:
Age:
Coach:
Cwmbran
F57 Javelin, discus and shot
18
Anthony Hughes
After suffering a stroke at the age of two, 17-year-old Owain Taylor lost the use of his left lower leg. But
the Cwmbran talent has not allowed his disability to get the better of him.
The stroke paralysed Owain from the waist down but he managed to gain most movement back. He was
however left with little feeling from his left knee down which he has now lost altogether.
The teenager had another setback when he broke his right foot at 13. He had an operation where pins
and screws were put in his left leg to improve things with bone moved from his hip into his left foot to
make it stronger.
He trains with the Federation of Disability Sport Wales for the javelin, discus and shot put three times a
week and is also training as technical assistant at Able Radio.
His mum Emma Taylor said: “We just can’t believe what he’s done. He’s been an inspiration to a lot of
people and we’re so proud of him.”
Owain competed at the 2011 IWAS Junior World Championships in Dubai and despite struggling due to
the organisers combining the Under 20 and 23 age groups, he managed to pull off three medals in the
F57 class: silver in the Javelin and bronze in both the Shotput and Discus.
At the IWAS Junior World Championships in 2010 in Olomouc, Czech Republic, Owain won two gold
medals.
He is an ex-member of the highly acclaimed Disability Sport Wales Academy programme, having been
recently elevated onto the UK Athletics World Class Programme.
BOCCIA
JACOB THOMAS
From:
Event:
D.O.B:
Coach:
Bethesda, Pembrokeshire
BC3 Class
17/10/94
Peter Pearse
Although Jacob could walk as a toddler and young child – and grew to love sport – the muscular
dystrophy that progressively weakened his muscles means he is now a permanent wheelchair user.
By chance, Jacob’s learning support officer at school got a copy of the boccia rules and some balls so he
could give it a go. That was about eight years ago when Jacob still had the use of his hands. A couple of
months later he took part in a competition with some school friends, which they won, before he got
involved with the boccia blasters in Cardiff.
He was invited to Sheffield on a GB talent weekend and they advised Jacob to use a ramp rather than
throw, meaning going from BC4 class to BC3.
Jacob was Welsh Champion in 2010 and went even better by becoming the 2010 British Champion beating fellow Welsh player Karl Parish in the final. He is now a member of the GB Elite Boccia squad.
His father Mike is his assistant on court and also runs the Crymych Panthers boccia club, which the
family set up. He says, ‘“It’s changed our lives. We’ve been so many places – although you don’t get to
see much because you’re so busy with competition. It can be hard work but very rewarding at the same
time.”
Jacob attends mainstream Ysgol Y Preseli, juggling schoolwork with his intense training and competition
regime and this year took his GCSEs. He hopes to go on to study sport in college.
CYCLING
BRIAN ALLDIS
From:
DOB:
Sport:
Coach:
Disability:
Cardiff, now Bury St Edmunds
08/07/86
H3 Hand cycling road races and time trails
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
Spina bifida and hydrocephalous
Alldis has recently made the switch from wheelchair racing to handcycling. He made the transition after
finishing fifth in the 1500m wheelchair race at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
"I made the change because I needed another adventure. In wheelchair racing I got to my peak, made
Delhi, made the Paralympics," he explained.
He now hopes that his experiences from the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 will stand him in good stead to
make it to the podium in London with his hand-bike:
“All I want is London 2012 gold. I've been to Beijing and got the experience there. I want to go one step
further and get a medal, ideally gold. It would be nice at home."
Before switching, he underwent a lab test with British Cycling and his reports came back as among this
afternoon.
As a wheelchair racer, he was mentored by Dame Tanni Grey Thompson and competed in events
ranging from 100m up to the marathon.
Alldis was born with a spinal condition called spina bifida and hydrocephalous. He has very little muscle
in his legs and struggles to walk.
MARK COLBOURNE
From:
Age:
Coach:
Event:
Twitter:
Tredegar
42
Neil Smith & Chris Furber
C1 Track & Road
@MarkColbourne
Mark is stamping his authority on the world of Para Cycling. The former Sales Consultant is new to the
sport. It was only in 2009 that he broke his back in a Paragliding accident at Rhossili beach.
The 42-year-old Welshman linked up with the GB squad last year and since then, he has twice appeared
on the podium at World Cup time trial events. The points earned at these event count towards
Paralympics qualification.
He will now be a strong contender for a place in the GB squad for the World Road Championships in
Denmark from 8-11 September with the team set to be announced next month.
RACHEL MORRIS
From:
Age:
Discipline:
Milford Haven
31
Road (hand-cycle)
Rachel was spotted as a potential 2012 contender when, after just six months, she had put in so many
miles, she had virtually worn down her hand-cycle.
“I used to bomb around on it for ages, but did so many miles I kept breaking it. I’ve always played sport
and it was something physical but stopped my legs hurting. I was put onto the Welsh and British Cycling
teams,” she said.
She made her Paralympic Games debut in Beijing in 2008, storming to gold in the time trial. She
cemented her standing at the top in 2010 at the World Paracycling Road Championships where she
secured gold in the road race.
Morris’ talents do not end on the bike – she is also an accomplished sailor and has competed at an
international level.
RUSS WHITE
From:
Club:
Event:
Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan
Forza Cycles Racing Team
4km Pursuit, Road Race and Time Trial
Russ’ ambition is to become a World Champion and Paralympic gold medallist. It all started when Russ
was a child. He was inspired to take up the sport after watching the Tour de France and the Milk Race.
After he lost his arm in a car accident, he turned to cycling as a form of transport and the rest is history.
When he’s not training or competing, he spends time with his children and grandchildren.
His role models include Chris Hoy and Steve Redgrave.
Notable recent performances include sixth place at the 2010 World Paracycling Road Race
Championships.
FOOTBALL (VI)
KERYN SEAL
D.O.B:
From:
28/2/82
Bridgend / Now Exeter
Keryn is a member of the Great Britain Blind Five-a-Side Football team. He has already competed at the
2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
His greatest career moment to date is “standing on the pitch in Beijing and singing along to the National
Anthem before our first match. It was a special moment.”
Keryn is a versatile player who is confident in all areas of the pitch. He’s a driving force and very
passionate when playing for his country.
GB finished fifth overall in Beijing.
ADAPTIVE ROWING
SAM SCOWEN
From:
DOB:
Club:
Event:
Coach:
Reading (family from Welshpool)
29/10/87
Dorney Boat Club
Mixed double sculls
Tom Dyson
Sam is one of Britain’s finest Paralympic rowers. She was born with a missing growth plate in her left leg
and a flat hip socket and has undergone 18 operations, including five major leg lengthenings.
A change in classification means that she can no longer partner Swansea’s James Roberts who has since
switched to sitting volleyball in order to compete at the Paralympic Games. Together, the Scowen and
Roberts pairing took gold at the 2009 World Championships.
Without a partner, she was unable to race the 2010 season but she was back in 2011 with Nick
Beighton. Racing at the first World Cup of the season in Munich, they took bronze. A promising start.
Samantha completed a Foundation Diploma at Thames Valley University and has a general interest in
music and film. She has a big interest in coaching and hopes to have a career in it in the future.
SAILING
STEVE THOMAS
From:
D.O.B:
Disability:
Bridgend
5/01/77
Double leg amputee
Bridgend sailor Stephen Thomas and his three-person keel boat crewmates are keen to build on their
previous Paralympic outings in Beijing and Athens where they finished sixth.
The crew has high hopes for London 2012, having just sailed to silver at the World Championships.
Thomas plays an important role in the boat as the central voice between Robertson on the steering
tiller, and Stodel, the tactician.
With responsibility for the main sail sheet, Thomas’ premier job is to keep the boat moving fast, pulling
the main sheet to affect the crew’s direction and ensuring messages are passed between the crew:
“You have to make educated guesses. Ten minutes before the start, you devise the best strategy
depending on the weather and just try to execute it the best you can in the race. It’s all about
management. You have to be prepared to adapt and improvise in a split second, and accept that
sometimes your decisions might be wrong.”
Such inconsistencies are, however, little to a man who harbours a unique passion for the sport and is
determined to make it to Beijing:
“I love sailing because it’s raw. You use the equipment and the elements to drive you wherever you
need to go so you’re harnessing the elements.
As a youngster, Steve played rugby for Bridgend. He is also a former member of the Great Britain sledge
hockey team and competed at the Winter Paralympics in Turin.
He contracted meningitis at the age of 19 which resulted in his legs being amputated below the knee.
SWIMMING
RHIANNON HENRY
From:
DOB:
Club:
Coach:
Disability:
Class:
Twitter:
Bridgend
20/05/87
Swansea Performance
Sebastien Messier
Visually impaired
S13, SB13, SM13
@Rhi_Henry
Otherwise known as Snoopy, Rhiannon currently lives, trains and studies in Montreal.
represented Team GB at two Paralympic Games.
She has
In Athens, she won two bronze medals (100m fly and 400m free) and in Beijing, she finished fifth in her
two preferred events (as before).
She can boast a staggering number of records – 12 British, five European and four World (800m free,
50m fly, 200m fly, 4 x 100m free, 4 x 100m medley).
She says that her finest sporting moment to date was representing Wales at the 2002 Commonwealth
Games. Her sporting heroes are Mark Spitz and Steve Redgrave.
Her ultimate ambition is win a Paralympic gold medal.
LIZ JOHNSON
From:
DOB:
Club:
Coach:
Disability:
Class:
Twitter:
Newport (Lives in Bath)
03/12/85
University of Bath
Mark Skimming
Cerebral Palsy
S6, SB6, SM6
@lizjohnson_gb
Liz went one better than she did in Athens, winning gold in the women's SB6 100m breaststroke in one
minute 41.87 seconds. It was Johnson's first event of the Games and came just 10 days after her mother,
Bonnie, 53, died of cancer on the day the team arrived in Beijing.
She says that this is her greatest achievement to date and also credits her mother for having the
greatest influence on her career.
Other notable highlights include silver at the Athens Paralympics in 2004 in the 100m breaststroke.
She graduated from Swansea University and hopes to work as an accountant.
NYREE KINDRED (NEE LEWIS)
From:
DOB:
Club:
Coach:
Disability:
Class:
Twitter:
Porth, Rhondda
21/09/80
Leominster Kingfisher SC
Emma Patrick
cerebral palsy
S6 (butterfly, backstroke, freestyle), SM6 (medley)and SB5 (breaststroke) classifications
@nyreekindredGB
Nyree has competed at three Paralympic Games, racking up nine medals (two gold, four silver, three
bronze).
But she’s now mastering a new challenge – that of motherhood. Nyree and her husband and fellow
Paralympic swimmer Sascha welcomed baby Ella Rhiannon into the world in June 2011.
But Nyree is already back in the pool, training for London 2012.
DAVID ROBERTS
From:
DOB:
Discipline:
Disability:
Class:
Club:
Twitter:
Pontypridd
20/02/80
50m fly, 100m free & back, 200m IM, 400m free, relays
Cerebral Palsy
S7
Caerphilly
@swimmerdai
Paralympic swimming hero David Roberts must look at his medal cabinet and wonder how to make
space for his next haul.
He has notched up an incredible 16 medals (11 of which are gold) across the last three Paralympic
Games.
At 24, he was awarded an MBE by the Queen. But it all started after David was diagnosed with cerebral
palsy at the age of 11. He started swimming as part of his physiotherapy. Three years later, he was
already swimming for Wales and, at 19, he travelled to the European Championships, winning all four of
his events.
His Paralympic dreams came true in 2000 at Sydney with three golds, three silvers and a bronze. It was
in Athens 2004 though, where his burgeoning potential was fully realised with four gold medal swims,
one silver and two world records. In Beijing in 2008, he secured a further four gold medals.
2006 saw Roberts represent Wales at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and he excelled in 100m
multi disability race, where - although he was only 0.02 away from his own World Record - he snatched
bronze away from Australian Swimmer, Ben Austin.
In April 2011, David fractured his elbow, forcing him to withdraw from the International Disability
Swimming Championships.
He is Britain's most successful Paralympian of the modern era alongside compatriot wheelchair racer
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
But this is the latest setback for Roberts, who in October 2009 suffered a fractured elbow, bruised ribs
and a bruised right shoulder, while he has also had kidney stones and a broken foot in recent times.
SITTING VOLLEYBALL
AMY BRIERLY
From:
Garden City, Flintshire
Age:
21
Club:
FDSW Celtic Dragons
Amy Brierly took up the sport of sitting volleyball earlier this year and has already made it into the Great
Britain team and won a medal at the world championships
Sitting volleyball is precisely what it says it is – a Paralympic sport where the players are sitting down in
order to hit the ball over the net.
Born without a hip socket, Amy was approached by Disability Sport Wales’ Performance Director
Anthony Hughes who asked if she would like to give it a go.
She quickly displayed potential and she attended a Team GB selection camp at Loughborough that
summer. Winning a place on the British team, she traveled to Oklahoma for the World Championships
where they unexpectedly beat Canada to win bronze.
She now has her eye firmly set on London 2012.
JESSICA O’BRIEN
From:
Age:
Club:
Cardiff
18
FDSW Celtic Dragons
Jessica’s biggest achievement to date was coming runner up in the in the 2009-10 Sitting Volleyball
Grand Prix Series with the FDSW Celtic Dragons.
The middle blocker, who made her GB debut at the 2010 World championships, is planning to study an
undergraduate degree in radiography when she’s not on court.
JAMES ROBERTS
From:
Age:
Club:
Prestatyn / now Swansea
25
FDSW Celtic Dragons
Prestatyn-born James Roberts knows exactly what it’s like to compete at a Paralympic Games. He was
one of the first ever Paralympic rowers, as adaptive rowing mad its Games debut in Beijing.
Since 2008, classification has changed; forcing James to reconsider his Paralympic future. With the help
of Disability Sport Wales, he decided to make the switch to sitting volleyball.
Sitting volleyball is precisely what it says it is – a Paralympic sport where the players are sitting down in
order to hit the ball over the net.
James explains: "We are trying to get qualified for London, that is the main goal for us and it is done
mainly on whether we produce credible performances by beating some of the better teams and then
beating other teams who we are expected to win against.
"It's a long shot to qualify automatically because we have to finish as runners-up in the European
Championships later in the year or do well at other big events like that.
SAM SCOTT
From:
Age:
Club:
Cardiff
19
FDSW Celtic Dragons
Sam is an integral part of the Men's GB Sitting Volleyball team, having represented them at the World
Cup in Egypt last year, and recently at the Harpers International. He missed out going to the World
Championships with the team due to injury. He plays as a setter and is regularly voted player of the
tournament at the Sitting Volleyball Grand Prix where he plays for Celtic Dragons in the National League.
As a youngster, he showed promise in athletics. He excelled at throwing but made the switch to sitting
volleyball.
Sitting volleyball is precisely what it says it is – a Paralympic sport where the players are sitting down in
order to hit the ball over the net.
TABLE TENNIS
ROB DAVIES
From:
Disability:
Class:
Brecon
Paraplegic
1
In September 2005, Robert broke his neck playing rugby. He was playing hooker for Brecon Rugby Club
when the scrum collapsed. Three years later, he travelled to the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing as a young
advocate. In 2012, he hopes to make his second trip to the Paralympics. But this time he doesn’t want to
be on the sidelines.
He has got his campaign off to a winning start; securing a string of medals on the 2011 European circuit.
At the Bayreuth Open 2011 he helped secure gold in the Men’s Team event ad a bronze in the singles. It
was a similar story at the Slovakia Open where the Men’s Team again triumphed and Rob took a silver in
the singles.
SARA HEAD
From:
DOB:
Discipline:
Disability:
Class:
Beddau, Rhondda Cynon Taf
12/04/80
Ladies doubles
Paraplegic
3
Bryncelynnog Comprehensive in Beddau proudly boasts introducing Sara Head to table tennis.
And it is an introduction that has paid dividends. In 2009, she achieved bronze medal s at both the
World Championships and the European Championships. More recent results include a string of podium
places on the 2011 circuit including gold at the Bayreuth Open.
She has also represented Wales at two Commonwealth Games (2002 and 2006) and was disappointed to
miss out on selection to the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.
But she is certainly out to make amends and is eager to compete in London.
It comes as no surprise considering she is coached by multi-Paralympic table tennis champion Jim
Munkley. Believing he has had the greatest impact on her sporting career, Sara is eager to emulate the
achievements of her mentor and match his vast medal haul.
PAUL KARABARDAK
From:
DOB:
Disability:
Class:
Swansea
03/10/85
Hemiplegia
7
Paul Karabardak’s table tennis talent has sent him to all corners of the globe including Norway, Sweden,
Italy, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Las Vegas and of course China as he was selected to represent
Team GB at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.
The right-handed rock fan has left-sided hemiplegia, which was caused by a stroke when he was 10
years-old. Doctors said that he would never be able to walk again. Paul provided them wrong and has
gone to win the British Championships three times.
He refused to let his disability get in the way of his love of sport. Just 12 months after his stroke, he
signed up to Penlan Leisure Centre’s table tennis club.
SCOTT ROBERTSON
From:
DOB:
Discipline:
Class:
Shotton, Deeside
23/06/76
Singles & Team
5
Scott Robertson has already had the honour of representing his country at three Paralympic Games – in
Sydney and in Athens.
The right-hander has shown good form this year – winning gold and bronze on the 2011 circuit (Slovenia
Open, Lignano Master Open)
Scott is married to fellow table tennis player Claire who is also a table tennis player and who also
competed in Beijing.
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
CAROLINE MATTHEWS
From:
DOB:
Club:
Class:
Cardiff
12/04/73
Cardiff Celts
4.5
Caroline was 12 years old and a keen runner when she was diagnosed with severe arthritis in both knees
in 1999 and was forced to give up the sport she loved.
She played able bodied National League basketball whilst living in Cornwall for the Plymouth Racers and
then for Cardiff University. She represented Welsh Universities for two years at the BUSA tournament
and received full honours from the Athletics Union for Basketball.
She developed a short-lived passion for sledge hockey with the Cardiff Huskies – this was a short-lived
affair, however, because she rediscovered her love for basketball while watching television coverage of
the Sydney Paralympics in 2000.
Caroline was selected for the GB wheelchair basketball squad after only six months on the court. Her
first International experience came at the World Championships in Japan in 2002. She also played in the
European Championships in Hamburg, March 2003, where Team GB qualified for Athens by winning the
bronze medal.
Caroline represented Team GB at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.
The GB Women’s team has reached fifth in the world rankings. They are currently ranked eighth. They
are a very young squad and recently won bronze at the European Championships in 2009.
CLARE STRANGE
From:
DOB:
Lives:
Club:
Disability:
Class:
Newport
18/09/79
Radnage, Buckinghamshire
Milton Keynes Aces
Paraplegic
1.5 Player
In 1997, Claire broke her back in a horse-riding accident. A year later, she was playing for the GB
wheelchair team at the World Championship in Sydney.
Two years after that, she was back down under for the 2000 Paralympics. She first got into the sport to
aid her rehabilitation. She also travelled to Beijing for the 2008 Paralympic Games.
Clare has always been sporty – having enjoyed hockey and horse-riding prior to her accident. Her
brother represented Wales in hockey for the under-18s in 2001.
She claims her “stubbornness and sheer bloody-mindedness to take on challenges” has got her to where
she is today.
The GB Women’s team has reached 5th in the world rankings. They are currently ranked 8th. They are a
very young squad and recently won bronze at the European Championships in 2009.
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY
DAVID ANTHONY
From:
Age:
Club:
Disability:
Class:
Coach:
Neath
21
Cardiff Pirates
Paraplegic
2.5
Tom O’Connor
NEATH wheelchair rugby player David Anthony is eager to make his Paralympic Games debut at
London 2012.
The Port Talbot college student has already represented GB at the 2009 European Championships
where the team narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, losing 43-47 to Germany.
In 2008, Great Britain just missed out on a medal at the Paralympic Games after finishing fourth and
Anthony is keen to set the record straight when he appears in his first Paralympics at London 2012.