Great Britain select sledge team for Worlds

“The World Championships in Japan will be our toughest test to date with all the teams fighting to keep their hopes of Paralympic qualification alive.”

Following their three-game series against Estonia, the British Sledge Hockey Association announced the 13-strong roster that will represent Great Britain at next month’s 2013 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships B-Pool in Nagano, Japan.

The World Championships will take place from 10-16 March, and the top three finishers will advance to the Paralympic Qualification Tournament, which will keep their hopes for the Sochi 2014 Games alive.

The complete Great Britain roster includes: Ian Warner, Karl Nicholson, Stephen Thomas, Scott Turner, Matt Coleman, Matt Woollias, Matt Clarkson, Rob Gaze, Bryan Hackworth, Tyler Christopher, Lee Coupe, Darren Brown and Gary Farmer.

Great Britain will compete in Nagano in Group A, which also includes Japan and Poland. Group B will feature Estonia,

Germany and Slovakia.

“The World Championships in Japan will be our toughest test to date with all the teams fighting to keep their hopes of Paralympic qualification alive,” Great Britain head coach Andy Linton said.

“We have a strong and well prepared team that believes in itself and which has the ability to win games.”