Oswestry man has Rio Olympics in sights
Oswestry's Mark Fosbrook has his sights set on Rio 2016 after earning a call-up to represent Great Britain at the European Wheelchair Basketball Championships.
This summer, as the world marks just over a year to go until the Rio 2016 Paralympics, Fosbrook will be battling the continent's leading nations after playing his way to a place in the Great Britain men's team.
Held at the University of Worcester Arena from August 28 to September 6, the championships form part of UK Sport's National Lottery funded #EveryRoadtoRio programme.
It supports the nation's athletes in their preparation and qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Fosbrook and the GB men's team will not only be playing for an unprecedented third consecutive European title, but one of five highly coveted qualification places for next year's Games.
Fosbrook is delighted with his call and thrilled at the prospect of playing on home soil so that family and friends will get the chance to see him in action.
He said: "I am so proud to have made the team and get a chance to represent my country alongside my fantastic team-mates.
"To be able to do that in Worcester will be amazing as it means my family and friends will be able to watch and see what all my training commitments have accumulated to."
At the European Championships, the GB team will begin their qualification campaign in Pool A, taking on the Czech Republic in their opening game on Friday August 28.
They go on to face Poland, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The top four teams from each of the two pool groups progress through to the quarter-finals.
GB Men's head coach Haj Bhania said: "The depth of talent we have within the men's squad meant that selection was once again a very challenging decision.
"Every athlete has worked incredibly hard both throughout the season and our recent intensive programme. We now begin our final preparations for the championships.
"Our primary focus is centring upon developing our units in not only training, but upcoming tournaments – enabling us to refine our play by the start of next month.
"There are never any easy games at a European Championships, but our preparation programme and the invaluable home crowd support will enable us to maximise our potential."
