Andrew Blake has been named as the new captain of the GB Men's Wheelchair Basketball team ahead of this month's European Championships. Blake, from Milton Keynes, takes over from co-captains Simon Munn and Ade Adepitan, who are stepping down after three successful years.
Blake's first job will be leading the team in Sardinia where they need to finish in the top five to qualify for the 2004 Athens Paralympics.
The former Paralympic gold-medal swimmer has been a regular in the basketball team since the mid-1990s and his uncompromising style of play, heart and sheer determination to succeed have drawn respect from team-mates and opponents alike.
"I am very proud and honoured to be selected," said Blake.
"I hope I can continue and build on the excellent work that Simon and Ade have done over the past three years.
"Every captain has his own way of doing things and I will bring what I can to the team.
"We have a great spirit and family-like feeling in our squad, so I see my main role as helping each individual within the team to be the best he can be. I'm really looking forward to the challenge."
GB Coach David Titmuss is delighted that Blake has accepted the captaincy.
"Blakey is a warrior and when you are competing against the very best in the world the difference between winning and losing can often be the character of your athletes.
"Andy is an intelligent and gutsy competitor who is respected for doing many of the things that never show up on a stats sheet. He leads by example," he said.
MMIX
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