Bears' success rewarded with GB call-ups

WARWICKSHIRE Bears have gained international recognition after two of their players received Great Britain call-ups.

Siobhan Fitzpatrick was selected to play for the GB ladies at this year’s European Championships, held in Tenerife.

This year has marked Fitzpatrick’s first season with the Bears, where she helped them to finish in third place as the Bears’ highest ever league place, and narrowly missing out on a play-off place.

Following such a successful season, Fitzpatrick was selected for GB in this year’s Continental Cup.

“Hard work really does pay off,” she said.

“I’m so excited to have made my first senior major tournament and to be the first CP athlete it makes it even better.

“I just want to enjoy it and make memories and help GB reach their first ever final.”

Another member of the Warwickshire Bears to get a call-up is Dan Gill who, after acting as a spearhead for the Bears 2 and contributing to the team’s victory in their league, has been picked to represent Great Britain in wheelchair basketball at this year’s Invictus Games, held in Canada this September.

After being injured in Afghanistan, Gill started his basketball career with the Bears in 2013 and has gone from strength to strength, culminating in the selection for this year’s Invictus Games squad.

“Being selected for the Invictus team has been almost surreal,” he said.

“After my injuries, I didn’t think I’d make it back into sport at all let alone achieve selection into a team of such a high standard.

“It just goes to show that hard work and perseverance really does pay off.”