LONDON 2012: GB sitting volleyball team confirm their Paralympic place

 By Sportsbeat staff

GREAT Britain's men's sitting volleyball team have been awarded a host nation quota place for next year's London 2012 Paralympics.

YOU'RE INVITED: Great Britain's sitting volleyball team have seen their Paralympic place confirmed by the British Paralympic Association

The news follows their recent seventh place finish at the Continental Cup, where they also claimed the scalp of world number ten side the USA.

"It has always been our ambition to have representation across all Paralympic sports at our home Games, but equally we have maintained that the sports have to demonstrate credible performance," said Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of the British Paralympic Association.

BPA officials, like their counterparts at the British Olympic Association, are determined there will be 'no free tracksuits' in their teams, while also ensuring there is credible home representation in as many sports as possible.

The news has been welcomed by members of the British team, who today broke the world rally record as part of International Paralympic Celebrations in London, a key countdown date to next year's Games.

‘I’m so proud that all the athletes’, staff’s and volunteer’s efforts and particularly recent results have been rewarded with their inclusion into the ParalympicsGB team and will include a men’s sitting volleyball team in 2012," said GB Volleyball chief executive Richard Callicott. 

"The hard work doesn’t stop here though, everyone is focussed on giving their best performance in London and of course every member of the squad now has to work to prove their place on the team." 

© Sportsbeat 2011