UK wounded heroes train ahead of US Warrior Games
The UK team competing in the US Warrior Games next month have just completed an intensive training session in the UK.
Members of the UK Team participating in next month's US Warrior Games practice their sitting volleyball techniques.
This past weekend, the UK wounded heroes completed an intensive training session at the Help for Heroes Recovery Centre in the UK, prior to competing in the US Paralympic Warrior Games next month.
This will be the second year that Help for Heroes has organised and funded the squad, this year of 35 UK athletes. The team will be taking part in friendly competitions against US Service members and veterans at the event which will run from May 11th-16th 2013 in Colorado Springs, USA.
The Warrior Games, which will be visited by Prince Harry, is a competitive Paralympic sporting event for wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans, hosted by the US Olympic Committee (USOC) and presented by Deloitte. The 2013 Games will see approximately 260 US wounded and injured Servicemen and women and veterans competing in seven sports, including; archery, cycling, shooting, swimming, track & field, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.
Martin Colclough, Head of Physical Recovery, Help for Heroes said: “This weekend was a great success and I think we have some really strong contenders for medals during the Games. We are delighted to once again fund a UK team in such a high profile US event and are looking forward to watching our athletes build on the tremendous successes from last year. Having supported athletes at both a grass-roots and Paralympic level, we know how important physical activity is for encouraging confidence and independence after a life-changing injury or illness.”
“We are excited to welcome our friends from overseas, the British Armed Forces, back for a second year of Warrior Games competition,” said Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics, USOC. “Our relationship with Help for Heroes that started with the sharing of best practices has grown into a true partnership that has led to the creation of more sport programs and support for our service members and veterans with physical disabilities.”
About the team
The UK team comprises of athletes from the Armed Forces and Veterans, including: Ms Samantha Bowen, Mne Liam Brentley, LH Graham Brown, LCpl Stacey Byrne, Mne Luke Darlington, Cpl Claire Edwards, Mr Andrew Grant, Mne Matthew Hancox, Mr Grant Harvey, SAC Carl Harvey, Mne Alan Henderson, Capt David Henson, Mr Declan Hill, Cpl Karl Hubberstey, LCpl Joseph Humphrey, LCpl Darren Kamara, Mr Jonathon Le Galloudec, Mr Kushal Limbu, Cpl Andrew Lock, Cpl Graham Lyddon, Cpl Corie Mapp, Pte Scott Meenagh, Capt Edward Porter, Cpl Luke Reeson, LE Mickaela Richards, LMA Sarah Rigby, LCpl Maurilla Simpson, LBdr James Simpson, Mr Rupert Smedley, Miss Erica Vey, Cpl Paul Vice, AB Benjamin Wagon, Mr Charles Walker, Cpl Matt Webb and Ms Mary Wilson.