Sheffield based Bayley, from Tunbridge Wells, who was trying to win his third gold medal of the season after wins in Italy and Slovenia, lost in three close sets to the world number 3 Maxym Nikulenko in the semi-finals. The world number 1 had looked untroubled in his earlier matches yesterday but was not able to produce his best in the semi-final today.

"I have to take this defeat and learn from it. I will use it as extra motivation to train even harder."Will Bayley

“I was definitely nervous today,” admitted Bayley. “I really wanted to win three tournaments in a row and maybe I put too much pressure on myself. I don’t think I played badly but when the games got tight I couldn’t win the big points. But I have to take this defeat and learn from it. I will use it as extra motivation to train even harder over the next few weeks before the European Championships in September.”

Hunter-Spivey, from Widnes, ranked 26 in the world, lost his semi-final to Ali Ozturk from Turkey 3-1 but had earlier recorded the best win of his career so far in the quarter-finals, coming back from 2-1 down to beat the world number 4 Mitar Palikuca from Serbia 3-2.

All five of the GB athletes competing in Slovakia progressed from their respective groups to the quarter-finals. Swansea’s Paul Karabardak, 27, led world number 2 Mykhaylo Popov from the Ukraine in his quarter-final before eventually losing 3-1 and 18 year old Londoner Ashley Facey Thompson had a good win in the group stages over Sweden’s Tobias Andersson before losing in the quarter-finals of the class 9 event to world number 5 Iurii Nozdrunov from Russia, ranked 21 places above him.

All five GB athletes are competing in the Team events, which conclude on Saturday, May 25.
 

Competition is intense in Paralympic sport and the search is now on for new talent to prove they have “got what it takes for Rio”, to ensure continued success for ParalympicsGB after the team won a superb 120 medals at London 2012.

"Nothing can really compare with the elation of competing for your country at a Paralympic Games and I am living proof that with determination and sacrifice you can fulfil your dream."Karen Darke

Karen Darke was among those medallists, winning silver in Handcycling at London 2012, having only starting to compete seriously in the sport three years earlier.

Karen said: “The Beijing Paralympic Games was truly inspirational for me and I was determined to give it my best shot to compete at London 2012.

“Looking back, the three year journey from my first races in Handcycling to winning a silver medal at a home Paralympic Games in London is one of the most incredible and intense things I have experienced in my life.

“Nothing can really compare with the elation of competing for your country at a Paralympic Games and I am living proof that with determination and sacrifice you can fulfil your dream. I would encourage anyone with a disability who is active and already involved in some form of sport to sign-up and you could be part of the ParalmypicsGB team in Rio.”

Nathan Stephens, an IPC javelin world champion, was spotted at a Disability Sport Wales event when he was a teenager. He has competed for Great Britain at both Winter and Summer Paralympic Games.

Nathan said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to aim to be part of the Paralympic team in Rio. I began my journey in to Paralympic Sport after attending a talent identification day in Wales as a teenager and never imagined it would change my life the way it has.

“I would urge anyone thinking about signing up to Paralympic Potential to take this great opportunity – you never know where it could lead."Nathan Stephens

“Getting involved in sport has given me wonderful opportunities to compete and to test myself against the best Paralympic athletes in the world.

“I would urge anyone thinking about signing up to Paralympic Potential to take this great opportunity – you never know where it could lead.”

Paralympic Potential: Bring on Brazil is seeking disabled athletes aged between 16-35 years old with the drive to compete and win at the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016. The programme will be run by the UK Talent Team, with support from the BPA.

The UK Talent Team is a collaboration between UK Sport and the English Institute of Sport (EIS). It supports World Class Programmes to identify and develop talented athletes.

Jayne Ellis, Paralympic Talent Scientist for the UK Talent Team, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for disabled people to get involved in Paralympic Sport and I find it really exciting to think about the talent we could unearth through Paralympic Potential: Bring on Brazil.

“We are looking at potential athletes for a wide range of sports and the only criteria are you need to be fit, used to playing sport and really focused on achieving your goals.

“Those selected will ultimately have the chance to become part of World Class Performance Programmes within Paralympic sports here in the UK, which are regarded as being among the finest in the world.”

Penny Briscoe, Director of Sport at the British Paralympic Association, said: “We know from our experience with talent initiatives in the past that they can be a really important way of identifying the World Champions and Paralympians of the future. The last Paralympic Potential campaign that was run inspired a number of stars and we are confident that the UK Talent Team will find us some more talented athletes this time around.

“London 2012 provided us with an incredible opportunity to inspire disabled and non-disabled people alike. Hopefully with this campaign we will reach out to those who watched British athletes on TV or in the stadia at the Paralympics last year and who thought to themselves ‘I would love that to be me next time around’. This is their chance.”

Since 2007, the UK Talent Team have worked in partnership with 20 Olympic and Paralympic sports and over 100 World Class coaches and run eight national athlete recruitment campaigns assessing more than 7,000 athletes.

These projects have been highly successful and resulted in more than 100 athletes being selected by sports for the World Class Performance Programme with a total of 102 international medals won.

Athletes wishing to prove they have “got what it takes for Rio” can sign-up at www.paralympics.org.uk/potential with assessment days planned in June and July.
 

The Conference aimed to unite the best British sports science and sports medicine practitioners working in Paralympic sport under one roof in order to review London 2012 and develop plans for Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016.

The Conference coincides with the announcement of Dr Stuart Miller in a new, joint position between the BPA and EIS as Chief Medical Officer for Paralympic sports. The position, jointly funded and supported by both organisations, will see Miller work throughout the Rio 2016 Paralympic cycle to support all Paralympic summer and winter sports.

"There is no doubt that the outcome that we would like from the conference is for the delegates, who are a number of the most knowledgeable, experienced practitioners working in Paralympic sport, to collectively identify and challenge current thinking about ways in which we can become better at our sports and ultimately win more medals", said Georgina Sharples, Senior Manager for Sport at the BPA.

"Only by making the most of opportunities such as this do we have the potential to gain small but significant advantages over our competitors."Georgina Sharples

"We know that competition in Paralympic sport is increasing incredibly quickly and finishing third in the medal table in London has demonstrated to us very clearly that we face significant challenges on the road to Rio. Only by making the most of opportunities such as this do we have the potential to gain small but significant advantages over our competitors."

Nik Diaper, Head of Sport Science and Sport Medicine For Paralympic Sports for the EIS, said:

"The conference has been very useful, in particular in terms of the quantity of ground that we have covered. We've talked about the challenges that we face in terms of international competition, we've discussed the importance of psychology as well as keeping athletes in good condition. We've also delved deeper into specific areas such as brain development and talent identification strategies.

"It has been a valuable two days and I hope we can turn this into an annual event."Nik Diaper

"It has been a valuable two days and I hope we can turn this into an annual event."

The conference has been funded by the Peter Harrison Foundation. Dr Vicky Tolfrey of the Peter Harrison Centre said:

"We knew from the outset that the Conference would be valuable to a variety of people working in Paralympic and disability sport, and so we knew that this was an event that we wanted to be a partner in. It's been a great success and I am delighted that we could be involved."

For full information on the appointment of Dr Stuart Miller, please see here.

“This event is about maintaining our position as the world’s top para-Triathlon nation."Jonathon Riall

“This event is about maintaining our position as the world’s top para-Triathlon nation, providing racing opportunities in preparation for the world championships in London and developing athletes in new categories.”

Clare Cunningham is one of the longest serving members of the Great Britain Para-Triathlon Team, having won the European title in Holten in 2009.

"The British team leads the way in terms of professionalism and results."Clare Cunningham

She commented: “I’ve been part of the British para-Triathlon set up since it started, and it’s really exciting to be part of the biggest ever team. Since finding out that we would have the opportunity to be part of the Paralympics in Rio things have really stepped up and the British team leads the way in terms of professionalism and results.

“I’m in good shape and really looking forward to the Europeans. I last won the title in 2009 and I hope that the fact it’s my birthday during the Championships is a good omen for it being a special weekend for me and the rest of the team.”

Reigning European Champions Jane Egan, Iain Dawson and Charlotte Ellis will look to defend their titles in Alanya as well as mentor new members. Many of the new squad members are benefitting from Triathlon England Talent Squad funding from Sport England, enabling them to compete internationally for the first time.

Great Britain para-Triathlon Squad, ETU European Championships, 14-16 June 2013

Tri-1
Phil Hogg, 43, Heanor, Derbyshire
Jimmy Goddard, 35, Bracknell
Joe Townsend, 25, Eastbourne
Jane Egan, 42, Glasgow, World Champion 2010 & 2011

Tri-3
Steven Judge, 40, Eckington, Sheffield, World Champion 2011 & 2012
Sarah Pearson, 42, South Devon

Tri-4
Joe Allen, 25, Bridport, Devon
Dave Hill, 24, Bath
Clare Cunningham, 35, Cambridge
Lauren Steadman, 20, Peterborough

Tri-5
George Peasgood, 17, Saffron Walden, Essex
Adrian Heathfield, 38, Kent

Tri-6
Haseeb Ahmed, 43, Leicester, guided by Ben Matthews
Iain Dawson, 36, Norwich, World Champion 2010 & 2012, guided by Carl Shaw
David Ellis, 26, Heanor, Derbyshire, guided by Luke Watson
Charlotte Ellis, 28, Redcar, Yorkshire, World Champion 2010 & 2011, guided by Jenny Manners
Melissa Reid, 22, Truro, guide TBC

Miller will subsequently fulfil the role of Chief Medical Officer for ParalympicsGB at the Rio Games.

Miller said: "I am delighted to be taking on this role and look forward to working more closely with the BPA and the Paralympic governing bodies.

“I am very pleased to see the EIS and BPA roles coming together as I feel it will allow greater continuity of care and planning throughout the four year cycle - not forgetting the winter program of course - and will enable a clearer structure and lines of communication to develop in relation to Paralympic medical care.”

Previously National Medical Lead for Paralympic Sport at the EIS, Miller was Chief Medical Officer for ParalympicsGB at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008 and Clinical Lead for Sports Medicine at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games with organising committee LOCOG. He takes over the role from Dr Nick Webborn who led the health care team in 2012 and is stepping down from his work with the BPA after 10 successful years.

Miller  is also a Clinical Director of the MSc Sport & Exercise Medicine in the University of Bath’s Department for Health and in 2008 became the first doctor in the UK to be formally recognised as a specialist in Sport & Exercise Medicine.

British Paralympic Association Director of Sport Penny Briscoe said:

“This is a brand new position which will ensure that the ParalympicsGB Chief Medical Officer role at the Games is someone who has consistently worked with our sports from the start of cycle. It makes absolute sense for us to be working closely with the EIS now so that our health care support services provide a steady presence for all the staff and athletes involved in the preparation of teams for major championships, including the Games.”

The announcement comes the same day of the inaugural UK High Performance Conference for Paralympic Sport Science and Sport Medicine, which will be held at St George’s Park and which will see 150 British delegates consider best practises and opportunities for development of British athletes over the course of the next cycle.

EIS Head of Sports Science and Sports Medicine for Paralympic Sport Nik Diaper said: “The EIS is pleased to be supporting the British Paralympic Association and National Governing Bodies through this appointment. It demonstrates our commitment towards developing the Paralympic high performance system by working in partnership with the BPA. Ultimately this serves to ensure that athletes are best prepared for the Games.”


 

"I had to fight hard to win."Will Bayley

“I was really happy to win in Slovenia,” said Bayley, who is the reigning European champion. “I wasn’t playing my best so it made it even more special as I had to fight hard to win. I’ve had a good week of training since then and I feel like I’m playing better. Slovakia will be tough with the number 2 and 3 in the world but it will be good to get more experience against them before the European Championships.”

Bayley will once again team up with Karabardak in the class 7 teams event and they will be hoping for another medal after taking the bronze in Slovenia. Karabardak, 27, from Swansea, came within one point of beating Paralympic champion Jochen Wollmert in Slovenia and will be looking to turn narrow defeats into victories this week.

Davies, 46, from North Cornelly in Wales, also won gold in Slovenia, in the class 1 teams event with his fellow Welshman Rob Davies. He will be hoping for more success in the singles in Slovakia after taking a bronze in the singles in Italy.

Ashley Facey Thompson, 18, from London, reached the quarter-finals of the class 9 singles in Slovenia after two good wins against higher ranked opponents and is keen to consolidate that performance in Slovakia. Together with the rest of the GB team he has been training in Slovenia for the past week with players from Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela and feels he has definitely benefited from the experience.

"I’ll just take it one match at a time in Slovakia, fight for every point and try to play like I did in Slovenia.”Ashley Facey-Thompson

“It’s been a tough week,” said Facey Thompson, “but it has helped me to prepare for competition and understand what I need to improve on. I’ll just take it one match at a time in Slovakia, fight for every point and try to play like I did in Slovenia.”

" The competition in Slovakia will be strong but we need to play against the best players."Gorazd Vecko

The team for Slovakia is completed by 18 year old Jack Hunter-Spivey, from Widnes, who will be hoping to show the form that saw him take two bronze medals in Hungary earlier this season.
GB Performance Director Gorazd Vecko said: “We have had a really good training camp in Slovenia and training with good players from other countries will help our players to improve. The competition in Slovakia will be strong but we need to play against the best players and it will be really good preparation for the European Championships in September.”

Players from the GB Performance Squad competing in the Slovakian Open are:

Will Bayley (Home town: Tunbridge Wells; Lives: Sheffield) - Class 7
Paul Davies (Lives: North Cornelly) - Class 1
Ashley Facey Thompson (Lives: London) - Class 9
Jack Hunter-Spivey (Lives: Widnes) - Class 5
Paul Karabardak (Lives: Swansea) - Class 7
 

Plymouth’s Merry will join Norfolk’s Alfie Hewett and Sussex’s Lauren Jones in the three player team. Hewett and Jones helped Great Britain to win the bronze medal in the BNP Paribas World Team Cup junior event in 2012.

Merry was invited to join the Tennis Foundation Wheelchair Tennis Performance Programme after having been a talented non-disabled junior player who had won 42 tennis tournaments in the UK, France and the USA up to her 11th birthday.

However, at the age of 11 she contracted an infection in her right hip, which was complicated by Septicemia. After three operations in the USA in November 2012 to wash out the infection, Merry started playing Wheelchair Tennis, having seen London 2012 women’s Doubles bronze medallist Lucy Shuker training in Taunton.

"I am very excited for my future as a wheelchair tennis player.”Luz Esperanza Merry

“I’m very excited to have been selected for the BNP World Team Cup. I’m really looking forward to going to Turkey and to having the opportunity to experience the atmosphere at my first Wheelchair Tennis tournament and to see the world’s best players in action,” said Merry. “I’m sure I will learn a lot after having only been playing for a short time and I am very excited for my future as a Wheelchair Tennis player.”

“Esperanza has shown that she is a very talented player."Ash Smith

“We are delighted to have Esperanza on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis Performance Programme and very pleased to give her this opportunity of being part of a Great Britain World Team Cup squad,” said Ash Smith, the Tennis Foundation’s Performance Development Coach and Captain of the Great Britain junior team for the 2013 World Team Cup. “Esperanza has shown that she is a very talented player and we look forward to working with her to help maximise her full potential.”

View the full squad here.

Saying goodbye to her career was a tough decision to take but Jones felt the time is right to take up a new challenge.

“I have had a fantastic 13 years at the top of the sport,” Jones said. “I want to say thank you to everyone involved at British Swimming for everything that they have given me throughout my career.

“I have had ups and downs in my career but mainly ups and times that I will take with me and remember forever.

“I have won five Paralympic medals which is a big achievement and one I am very proud of." Natalie Jones

“I have won five Paralympic medals which is a big achievement and one I am very proud of but it was getting to the point where my mind was saying yes let’s do this and my body was saying no.

“I also want to thank Andy [Scanlon] and Steve [Heaps] for taking me on in November and also my friends and family without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

National Performance Director Chris Furber added: “Natalie has had an outstanding swimming career with five Paralympic medals and a host of other international medals from World and European championships.

“She has made a significant contribution to swimming in her 13 years career, and is a fantastic ambassador for the sport."Chris Furber

“She has made a significant contribution to swimming in her 13 years career, and is a fantastic ambassador for the sport.

“On behalf of British Swimming we wish her all the best in the future.”
 

"I really have to pay tribute to Rhiannon and Fiona’s performance in Belgium."Tom Stanton

The fourth and final day in Essen gave Tom and the girls something to think about when the new Polish pairing demonstrated their strength and speed after they punctured and had to make up a 40 second gap. “Day four was perhaps the most interesting for us” asserts Stanton. “The new Polish pairing had been consistently strong and had been on the podium every single day, whether time trial or road race, and we knew they were going to be dangerous. They punctured very early on whilst in the bunch and got spat out the back with a 40 second gap and they made it up over the subsequent 18 laps. So that was a huge performance from them and something that we need to make sure we’re aware of in the future! The bunch was drilled by the Dutch on the front and our girls just sat confidently sat on their wheels and commanded their position right to the finish where they came sixth. This was good enough to keep their GC position and they finished 25 seconds ahead overall. I really have to pay tribute to Rhiannon and Fiona’s performance in Belgium – they went out there and buried themselves every single day to keep Lora and Corinne in contention for the GC.”

Lora and Corinne’s win in which they successfully defended the leader’s jersey day after day has given the GB Paracycling Coaches something to think about at this early stage of the season.

Stanton explains: “It’s really thrown the cat amongst the pigeons. It was our intention to change the pairings around to try new combinations out to see what will work best for us at the World Cups. Our challenge now is the recognition that in order to command a tandem bike race you need two bikes and it becomes less about individual tandem performances and more about a team performance and understanding how that fits in with the riders that we have.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the season and the opportunities to try out this new tactic, Stanton muses: “We’ve got two back-to-back World Cups coming up - Merano in Italy and Segovia in Spain – and that’s going to be an opportunity for us to compete against a full field to better understand where we fit in the final run up to the World Championships in Canada later this year.”

"There is a real opportunity both domestically and internationally to develop women’s Sitting Volleyball." Ian Legrand

Ian Legrand commented on his new position “I am really looking forward to the challenge of taking the women’s programme forward. There is a real opportunity both domestically and internationally to develop women’s Sitting Volleyball and I am committed to driving this change”.

Ashley Trodden said “The men have demonstrated that they are competitive at the highest level and I cannot wait to enhance their match play to the next level”.

The long term aspiration for both programmes remains qualification for the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016. In the medium term the target is preparation for the first qualification event, the 2014 World Championships in Poland. Both head coaches have assessed the current situation and have communicated their competitive focus over this period. The Men’s programme will participate in the forthcoming 2013 European Championships whilst the Women’s team will take a longer-term approach and use the 2013-14 season to build towards the World Championships as their first major competition in the new cycle.

There will be a 6 month review in October to reassess progress of both programmes at which point we anticipate the issue of the ongoing funding for an enhanced training and preparation programme to be resolved. In the mean time there will be training programmes released by the respective head coaches to enable preparations to begin.

There are plans in place to deliver a number of awareness opportunities, through our national partners, to recruit (talent ID) new players to develop the community clubs and a talent pathway.

Craig Handford, Head of Technical & Excel, commented “these are two high quality Sitting Volleyball coaches that have enhanced the sport both domestically and on the international stage. I believe that we can continue to improve and attract new talent to support our climb up the international rankings”.