Sharkey calls on GB to learn from recent goalball mistakes

By Ben Baker, Sportsbeat

PARALYMPIC hopeful Anna Sharkey insists she's happy to rake over the coals of her nightmare summer if it prevents another goalball horror show at London 2012.

UNIMPRESSED: Anna Sharkey believes Great Britain must learn from their disappointing World Championships performance this summer

The 22-year-old had high expectations of adding to her international medal haul after arriving at June's World Championships as European champions.

Sharkey's dreams soon turned to dust in Sheffield as Great Britain lost four of their five pool games to finish 11th out of the 12 entrants.

But rather than shy away from the Steel City showing, Sharkey admits the squad must tackle their disappointment head on if they're to avoid a repeat showing when it matters most.

"This season has not been our best season by any stretch of the imagination and it has been really disappointing," said Sharkey.

"We had our World Championships but it didn't quite go to plan because we came into it as European champions but finished in 11th in Sheffield.

"It was really disappointing but we weren't the best prepared for it and we made a lot of mistakes building up to the Championships.

"But you live and you learn and we won't make the same mistakes twice I can assure you of that.

"There is a big review going on at the moment about the worlds in order for us to make sure we can get the most out of it as possible and take something away from it.

"These things do happen and in sport even the tiniest mistake can make a huge difference."

Despite failing to hit her straps this summer Sharkey was picked out for a Paralympic Potentials camp along with 160 other athletes in Bath at the end of August.

And with just less two years to go until the 2012 Paralympics launch in London, Sharkey has called on Britain to leave nothing to chance at next year's World Championships.

"London 2012 is huge and it is what everyone is thinking about. It is two years away and that isn't actually that far away now," added Sharkey.

"The 2011 World Championships are going to be a massive competition for us ahead of London 2012 and we know we need to do a lot better next year then we did this time around.

"London 2012 is exciting and terrifying all at the same time and I am really looking forward to it.

"I think the things worth having are a bit terrifying and I want to bring success home in London 2012 and I will be thinking about it all the way up to the tournament."