England Blind and Partially Sighted squads named for IBSA World Games

England’s three squads for this summer’s IBSA World Games in Birmingham have been named ahead of the competition in August.

The Para Lions will be represented on home soil by the men’s and women’s blind teams and the men’s partially-sighted squad.

And the respective head coaches have now picked their players for the Games, which take place between 18-27 August and hosted by the University of Birmingham at venues across the Edgbaston area and wider region.

The Games are the largest high-level international event for athletes with visual impairments, with more than 1000 competitors from more than 70 nations involved and England have three teams competing.

England Men’s Blind

The Squad: Azeem Amir, Eesa Amjid, Owen Bainbridge, Brandon Coleman, Dan English, Dylan Malpas (GK), Sam Marsden (GK), Efe Shimwell, Roy Turnham 

“For the men’s blind team, the World Games represents the squad’s final qualification opportunity for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games,” said James Watkins, our senior technical performance manager.

“Five nations have already qualified leaving three remaining places so we’ve have set ourselves the target to medal within the Games and the expectation for senior players to be at their very best is high.

“Importantly, we also have a number of fantastic younger players making their debuts at a World Games and they’ll be excited by the prospect of playing in front of a home crowd.

“Adam Bendall takes charge of the squad for the first time in a World Games and we are confident the positive impact he has made on the squad to date will continue.”

England Women’s Blind

The Squad: Megan Brierley (GK), Katie Christopher (GK), Ayman Hafiz, Alice Hopkins, Samantha Gough, Natasha Mead, Selina Prieto, Emma Stead, Lucja Wyrwantowicz

“The Games represents the first-ever World Championships for the blind female game. We’ve been busy preparing a team to compete and to continue their journey as a recently launched England squad," said Watkins.

“We’ll be competing against nations who have more developed blind female programmes.

“However, this will not impact the staff and players’ determination to win and to provide all supporters with a positive performance in their first major competition.

“Head coach Michelle Wilcock is keen to use the Games as a platform to excel the progression of the blind female game in both elite and grassroots settings.”

England Men’s Partially Sighted

The squad:  Myles Chadwick (GK), Harry Gibbons, Jake Heasman, Tom Lamb, Adam Lione, Harry McDonald, John McDougall, Paul McHugh, Doug Pratt, Josh Pugh,  Liam Spinks, Jack Walsh (GK),

“The partially sighted squad cannot wait to compete in front of a home crowd, with the World Championships in Manchester in 2004 being the last time this opportunity occurred," said Watkins.

“The squad are well prepared and have been set the target to win the tournament. The squad will face significant challenge if they are to do so, with rivals such as Turkey and Ukraine set to field immensely strong squads.

“Head coach Steve Daley will take charge of the squad for the final time during the Games and he will be as determined and prepared as ever to lead his players to victory.”