Member Associations | 10 Aug 2011
Team Great Britain selection towards London 2012 begins
11/08/2011 – The first indications of who will be representing Team Great Britain at table tennis in London 2012 are starting to take shape as a long list of 16 players has been created. All 16 players are looking to prove their worth to the selecto
11/08/2011 – The first indications of who will be representing Team Great Britain at table tennis in London 2012 are starting to take shape as a long list of 16 players has been created.
All 16 players are looking to prove their worth to the selectors as they go under the spotlight before the first round of cuts are made in February, when the short list is made. The final Olympic squad of 3 men and 3 women will be announced in May.
The age range of our young squad spans from 15 to 28, but despite their tender years they have already acquired a host of national, European and Common Wealth Games medals, this will however be the first Olympic appearance for any of the players. Paul DRINKHALL and Kelly SIBLEY have been the closest to reach the pinnacle of sport since Matthew SYED played in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, both narrowly missing out on qualification in Beijing, with Sibley reaching the first reserve position.
The players selected are as follows:Paul DRINKHALL, Liam PITCHFORD,Gavin EVANS, Andrew BAGGALEY, Darius KNIGHT, Daniel REED, Gavin RUMGAY, Chris DORAN. Women: Kelly SIBLEY, Joanna PARKER, Na LIU, Naomi OWEN, Hannah HICKS, Emily BATES, Alice LOVERIDGE, Charlotte CAREY.
Prior to the Games, potential Team GB players will be competing along with the best the world has to offer in the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals to be played in the London 2012 table tennis venue of ExCeL November 24th-27th.
(By James CORNFORD, courtesy ETTA)
Photo: Andrew BAGGALEY
