Paralympic selection for Beckenham volleyball player (From News Shopper)

Paralympic selection for Beckenham volleyball player

4:48pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in Sport

A BECKENHAM man has been selected to represent Team GB in sitting volleyball at this summer’s Paralympics.

Richard Dobell previously captained the England indoor volleyball teams from 1987 to 2002 and competed on the international beach volleyball tour.

After injuring his knee, he then switched to sitting volleyball and as a result of his selection is believed to be the first ever player to compete at international standard for Britain in all three volleyball disciplines.

Prior to London 2012, only standing volleyball teams have competed for ParalympicsGB.

The British Paralympic Association has worked closely with Volleyball England to ensure sitting volleyball met all credible performance requirements, before confirming the sport would receive home country slots at London 2012.

“This is a great milestone in the sport, as we build towards our first Paralympic Games”, said Dan Griffin, performance manager for sitting volleyball.

“When Volleyball England took control of the British sitting volleyball programme in 2009, there were just a few male players training.

“Three years on we have men’s and women’s squads with players training daily with a full time coach.

“London being awarded the 2012 Paralympic Games has played a major part in sitting volleyball’s evolution and development.

“A big thank you to goes UK Sport and the Lottery, without their help it would have been impossible for both teams to have climbed international rankings as quickly as they have done.

“I would also like to acknowledge the huge part the volunteers have played behind the scenes.

“London 2012 will give the whole sport the momentum to take into the Rio 2016 cycle and beyond.

“We are genuinely excited about the potential of this sport in Great Britain.”

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