GB field nine in Poznan

A nine strong team start competing tomorrow at the Poznan Challenger.

 For Will Arnott and Sally Kidson, it will be vital preparation ahead of the Paris Paralympic Games.

 “I'm looking forward to competing for the first time since the selection for Paris," says Arnott from Reading who will compete individually before teaming up with Kidson, Salisbury's teenage sensation, in the BC3 Pair.

"Every competition between now and the Games is so important, not just in terms of preparation but it's also key for improving my world ranking going into the Games.”

will arnott competes in poznan

Robyn McBride, 26, from County Antrim will also feature in the BC3 competition with Dad Davy on court as ramp assistant as will Matt Berry, with Mum Sue operating the ramp. McBride will also team up with Berry - a member of Boccia UK’s Talent Transition Squad - in the Pairs event.”

 Louis Saunders leads the BC4 classification which will also see two other members of the Talent squad challenge for medals. Saunders, who won his first ever international gold at the Lahti Challenger in May, will be joined by Sophie Newnham and Tyler McLelland.

sophie newnham will be aiming fior the podium again

 All three Talent members are fresh from success. Newnham secured two gold medals at the Zagreb Challenger; her first-ever World Boccia sanctioned event, while McLelland and Berry both won bronze medals in Lahti.

 Following the individuals, Saunders and Newnham will compete in the BC4 Pair.

 Will Hipwell, who turned 37 last weekend, will be competing in the BC2 class along with Reshad Saraj, who is the fourth member of the Talent Transition Squad. Saraj will also be looking to build on recent form, having won gold and adding to the bumper medal haul in Lahti.

reshad saraj will be aiming to build on recent form

 Liz Fisher, Head of Performance Pathway, says fielding a nine strong team of World Class Performance and Talent Transition Squad athletes demonstrates the strong position of Boccia UK:

 "We're really beginning to see the hard work pay off in terms of setting up the Talent Transition Squad and providing more coaching and more international opportunities for athletes who are demonstrating potential. With the support of our home nation partners, we're in a much stronger position. Never before have we had this strength and depth across the different classifications."