James Represents England in Denmark

Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Bolton School Sixth Form student James Roberts has once again represented England as part of the Cerebral Palsy Development Football Squad, this time in the 7-a-side Development Tournament held in Denmark.

James was part of the England squad who took on The Netherlands, Scotland and Denmark in matches played over three days in Vejen. Competition was tough but the team came away with the bronze of the tournament after beating Scotland 2-1 in the third place play off. James even captained the squad in the game against Holland.

James made his debut for England last July with a winning performance at the Home Nations Tournament in Dublin after being put forward by his coach at the Manchester FA Centre of Excellence. He now has his hopes set on making the England squad in the future Paralympic games. The Paralympics are organised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) whose President, Sir Philip Craven MBE, is an Old Boy of the School. A five-time Paralympian, Sir Philip represented Great Britain in wheelchair basketball from 1969 to 1993 and swimming in 1972, before becoming the President of the Committee. In 1991 Sir Philip was awarded an MBE by the Queen for services to wheelchair basketball, and in 2005 was made a Knight Bachelor for services to Paralympic sport.