Back Welch for Paralympic gold

THE chance to meet Sebastian Coe, play in Trafalgar Square on a specially constructed court and an appearance on BBC News made it a memorable day for Stanstead Abbotts-based wheelchair basketball player Lee Welch.

PARALYMPIC HOPES: Lee Welch (left) with team-mates and Lord Coe

All that’s missing now for the talented 26-year-old is a sponsor to help him in his quest to win gold at next year’s London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Welch, who was born with Spina Bifida and has been wheelchair-bound since birth, was taking part in the International Paralympic Day which showcased the 20 sports at the Games.

He made his full senior debut for the GB team earlier this summer in Sweden at the Four Nations Cup, and told the Mercury that the International Paralympic Day had really whetted his appetite for the global showcase.

“It was an amazing event, one of the best I’ve ever been to,” he said. “The crowd was getting really excited and that hyped us all up. I think we put on a good demonstration for them.

“We got the chance to meet Seb Coe afterwards, and he seemed very interested in our progress and wished us the best of luck for London 2012.

“The atmosphere in Trafalgar Square was unbelievable, it was a fantastic day. It has really pushed up the profile of the Paralympics. I’m sure it’ll help make the London Paralympics a sell-out.”

The event took place on the eve of tickets for the London 2012 Paralympic Games going on sale – bringing home to Welch just how close it was all getting.

“Obviously I’d love to be selected for the London 2012 GB team, and I’m working very hard to achieve that goal,” said Welch, who is a forward.

“It’s not going to be easy, there are five or six other quality players vying for that position.”

Part of the GB development squad, Welch didn’t get into the team for the European Championships currently taking place in Israel after missing out on the preparations following an operation. Fully recovered, he is relishing making up for lost time.

However, he is still without a sponsor – which he desperately needs to cover the costs of travelling to training.

Welch joins up with the GB squad once a week for a regional session in Aylesbury, and also plays in the National Superleague for London-based Capital City team.

He has teamed up with a local personal training centre in Ware, Motiv8, who give him free use of their facilities, but says more sponsorship would be a great help in his quest for gold.

“At the moment the team is Lottery funded and we do get a bit from Lloyds TSB (a partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Games) but it would be really great to get a big individual sponsorship deal to help in the lead up to the Games.

“Training is going to step up now and we’ll be having training camps once a month when the squad returns from Israel.”

Welch is no stranger to the international stage having played for Great Britain under-23s from 2004 to 2006, in which time they were European Champions in 2004, then finished in the top four teams in the World Championships the following year, before taking a silver medal from the next European Championships in 2006.     

Wheelchair basketball was developed by Sir Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville Hospital following the Second World War as a form of rehabilitation for injured war veterans.

It is open to male or female athletes and is played by two teams of five players each.

Players are allocated points from 1 to 4.5 depending on their functional ability (Welch is in the three point category).

Five players out of 12 from each team are on the court at any one time and throughout the game the total point value of each team on court must not exceed 14 points.

If you want to sponsor Welch - or know anyone who may be able to help out - he can be contacted on 07912360131 or email lee.welch4@btinternet.com.