A SHOOTING star in the world of wheelchair basketball has become the youngest ever player to be selected for the England North East squad.
Fourteen-year-old Liam Readle, of Norton, who only took up playing the sport three years ago, impressed the England team selectors while playing for RGK Tees Valley Titans under 19s squad.
Liam, a pupil at St Michael’s Catholic Academy, Billingham, has cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects his movements in his arms and legs.
He said: “Since becoming part of the Tees Valley Titans team it has been my ambition to play for England North East. I feel really proud of myself to have come so far in such a short time.
“It was only when I started here at St Michael’s Academy that I began playing basketball, after former GB Paralympian player Lee Fawcett and Tees Valley Titans team coach came into school for one of our PE lessons. Since then I haven’t looked back.”
Liam has already had a number of training sessions with the full England North East Squad.
“My life has changed completely since I took up basketball,” said Liam whose triplet siblings also attend St Michael’s Catholic Academy.
“I hated PE at first but now it’s my favourite subject – I’ve even chosen to take it at GCSE.
“I train three times a week with my club and also every day at school and my next ambition is to get into the Junior GB team and to represent my country at thePara-Olympics in Japan.”
Alongside his England selection Liam will also continue to represent the RGK Tees Valley Titans under 19s squad and adult development team for which he was presented with the most hardworking player award for last season.
Special needs teaching assistant at St Michael’s Catholic Academy Andrea Jackson added: “The whole school is so proud of Liam; he works so hard and does everything with a smile on his face.
“There has never been a player with cerebral palsy break into the GB wheelchair basketball team before so if he continues to realise his ambitions it will be another first for Liam.”
