Disability Sport Wales
Chwaraeon Anabledd Cymru

WELSH SWIMMERS SELECTED FOR EUROPEANS

A 39-strong team has been announced to represent Britain at the IPCSwimming European Championships in Reykjavik, Iceland.

The British Gas team features 26 athletes that competed at the Beijing Paralympics including Welsh swimmers such as eleven-time Paralympic gold medallist David Roberts, Beijing Gold Medallist Liz Johnson (pictured), Multi-Paralympic medallist Nyree Lewis and Rhiannon Henry. Joining them will be Swansea based swimmers, double Paralympic Champion Eleanor Simmonds, Stephanie Millward and Rob Wellbourn.

The seven-day meet, which takes place from 18th – 24th October, will see a total of nine Paralympic Champions ready to test themselves against the best in European Disability Swimming.

A total of 20 European record holders, which includes Louise Watkin, Heather Frederiksen and Sam Hynd, are set to return to international competition after enjoying success in Beijing and are now ready to prove they have what it takes to compete with the best in Europe.

National Performance Director Tim Reddish is keen to see his team show they are ready to take their first step towards the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

“The team has a good mix of youth and experience and we have representation on the team from not only all of our programmes but also from non programmed athletes,” Reddish said.

“This is the major meet of the year for our athletes and step one in the beginning of our four year cycle. This is the first major international meet for the athletes that competed in Beijing and I think it will be a good test to see where we are in European Disability Swimming.

“Our athletes and their coaches now need to focus upon their preparations for the European Championships to continue improving and they will all relish the opportunity to test themselves against some tough European competition.”

ENDS

The British Gas Disability Team consists of:

Male;
James Anderson
Anthony Stephens
Sascha Kindred
Matthew Whorwood
Matthew Walker
David Roberts
Jonathan Fox
Richard Howard
Sam Hynd
Sean Fraser
Thomas Young
David Hill
Graham Edmunds
Robert Welbourn

Female;
Danielle Watts
Nyree Lewis
Eleanor Simmonds
Natalie Jones
Elizabeth Johnson
Francesca O’Connor
Charlotte Henshaw
Emma Hollis
Heather Frederiksen
Claire Cashmore
Stephanie Millward
Louise Watkin
Lauren Steadman
Elizabeth Simpkin
Kate Grey
Emma Cattle
Rhiannon Henry

In addition to the above the following athletes have been selected subject to them achieving the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the IPC swimming athlete eligibility criteria.

Male;
Daniel Pepper
Benjamin Procter
Craig Rodgie
Nicholas Boylan

Female;
Lauren Hobbins
Stephanie Bird
Amberley Hoar
Natalie Massey

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