Clapham’s John Worall insists they aren’t heading to the capital just to make up the numbers.
By Ben Baker, Sportsbeat, 0870 445 0156
GREAT BRITAIN’S men’s sitting volleyball team might have only just found out they have a London 2012 spot guaranteed, but Clapham’s John Worall insists they aren’t heading to the capital just to make up the numbers.
The British Paralympic Association broke the news to 28-year-old Worall and co following the team reaching the top ten in the world rankings after a seventh place finish at July’s Continental Cup.
Kettering was the location as Great Britain beat the likes of America and Canada on home soil, gearing up for their first ever Paralympic appearance in style.
Worall is now readying himself to do it all again in Rotterdam next month at the European Championships, and he is adamant they will lay down a marker with London 2012 fast approaching.
“The Continental Cup was brilliant as we finished seventh and beat the likes of America and Canada and that just shows the progression we have made,” said Worall, speaking on International Paralympic Day on behalf of Cadbury Spots v Stripes.
“We can now look forward to the European Championships and the aim is to finish in the top five and see what happens but we are confident we can do it.
“There is so much pride to think I could be part of the first GB sitting volleyball team to be at a Paralympics and there is always tremendous pride when you pull on your national colours on.
“And of course being at a home Paralympics is just going to be so special and I can’t wait to get going.
“But we are not just going to go there to fill the home slot. We are going there to be competitive and build on what we have been doing over the years.”
There was a double celebration on Thursday as not only did Worall find out about the host nation place but he was also involved as the team set a new world record of 239 consecutive passes, breaking the previous best of 225.
And with a world record already in the bag, London Lynx’s Worall isn’t about to stop there.
“It was a bit hairy out there with a big crowd and there were a few false starts but it is fantastic to get the world record,” he added.
“It was fantastic to have everyone cheering us on and it just shows how far the sport has come in recent years and with the announcement of the home nations place it is absolutely fantastic news.
“We want to continue this all the way to London 2012 and ride this wave and do well there and that is the aim over the next 12 months.”
Cadbury Spots v Stripes hosted a Guinness World Record for the longest sitting volleyball rally at International Paralympic Day in Trafalgar Square. To find out more about Cadbury Spots v Stripes, please visit www.spotsvstripes.com
