The Great Britain Boccia team is gearing up for their next World Cup which will see the return of European Champion Stephen McGuire to international competition.

In January, McGuire, 38, from Hamilton broke his knee and femur and underwent major surgery. He makes his return in Povoa in Portugal (3-11 July):

Steph at the European Championships in 2021 where he won individual gold

“I was told recovery would take three to five months so Povoa was always the target. There’s still some recovery to do but rehab has gone well and I’ve had so much support from the Boccia UK medical team as well as Scottish Institute of Sport staff.

“I’m extremely excited to be back on court – this has been the longest break from Boccia in my 17 years of playing and I’ve certainly missed it.”

Joining McGuire in the BC4 line up is Louis Saunders, 20, from Bognor Regis and Fiona Muirhead – who, like McGuire, is from South Lanarkshire. The Blantyre boccia star is coached by McGuire’s on court assistant and fiancé Michaela Rihackova:

“It really hasn’t sank in yet that I’ve been selected. To see my name on a list alongside Stephen, Claire Taggart and David Smith is really quite something.”

“I’ve played with Stephen regionally in training and I see him regularly when we’re with the Scotland squad. I’m looking forward to getting some training in with him ahead of the World Cup.

Eastleigh’s David Smith – who now lives in Swansea – will be aiming to continue his gold rush. The three times Paralympic gold medallist earned the top podium position at the World Cup in Rio in May. He will be joined by World number two Claire Taggart from Larne in Northern Ireland and Will Hipwell from Cambridgeshire in the BC1/2 Team event:

“It’s a tournament we go to every year and always feels like a home away from home. Rio was obviously really good for me individually but it was disappointing to not be able to compete as a team – but Claire’s back to full fitness now and we’re ready to go. It’ll be good to see where we’re at compared to opponents and it’s all little stepping stones towards the Worlds in December.”

In the BC3s, Belfast’s Robyn McBride is set to make her second World Cup appearance after making her debut in Rio last month. She will compete in the BC3 Pairs alongside Edinburgh’s Patrick Wilson. Dundonald’s Scott McCowan – who finished fourth at the Tokyo Paralympics – will be gunning for a spot on the podium in the individuals.

The Team:

BC1 David Smith (IND & Team)

BC2 Claire Taggart (IND & Team)

BC2 Will Hipwell (IND & Team)

BC3 Patrick Wilson (IND & Pairs)

BC3 Scott McCowan (IND)

BC3 Robyn McBride (IND & Pairs)

BC4 Stephen McGuire (IND & Pairs)

BC4 Louis Saunders (IND)

BC4 Fiona Muirhead (IND & Pairs)