TERRY BYWATER has been named in the Great Britain squad for the European Wheelchair Basketball Championships, that will start in Poland at the end of next month.

The Redcar veteran, who is a five-time Paralympian, will be competing in his tenth European Championships, having made his senior GB debut at the 2000 Paralympics.

He was part of the British side that won the World Championships in Hamburg last August, beating long-time rivals the United States in the final.

This year’s European Championships have special significance as they form a key part of the qualifying process for next year’s Paralympics in Tokyo.

Britain start their campaign with a game against Italy on August 31, and will also line up against Switzerland, Austria, Poland and Germany in the group stage of the competition.

“As a team we are in a very good place,” said GB wheelchair basketball head coach Haj Bhania.

“The last year has been incredible for the GB team and demonstrated what we are capable of, however by no means has it allowed us to sit still.

“We are only as good as our next game, and as a squad we fundamentally understand this.

“This team has been relentless in their determination to push forwards and improve as individuals but also as a team. In Hamburg, we laid bare that Championships are won by the team, not just one player.”

Phil Pratt will once again captain the British side in Poland, and he will be joined by some of the most experienced performers currently operating on the world stage.

As well as Bywater, who claimed a Paralympic bronze medal in Rio three years ago, Britain will also be able to call on Abdi Jama, Simon Brown and Gaz Choudhry, who boast a combined total of seven Paralympic appearances and 14 European Championship campaigns between them.

World Championship power forwards George Bates and Lee Manning are also included in the squad, along with Gregg Warburton, who was named MVP at the Worlds, and starting five regular Harry Brown.

Junior World champion Ben Fox will make his senior international debut, having recovered from a bout of major surgery last year.