The women's side has named an equally strong team, including the impressive Helen Freeman (picturd below), as both groups go in search of an historic double – to give themselves the perfect platform for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Pollock, arguably the best player in the world before his layoff, returns to captain the squad after a shoulder injury forced him to miss the majority of last year.

Bywater (pictuerd top, in red) comes back into the fold after surgery to repair a wrist injury he aggravated during his gold medal-winning performance at the European Championships in Israel last September.

The duo provides a major lift for the squad, currently ranked number one in Europe, as it anticipates a major battle against fellow London 2012 gold-medal contenders the United States as well as potentially tricky matches against both Germany and Japan.

"It's fantastic to be named in the Great Britain squad and to be finally be out playing once again with the lads," said Pollock.

"It's been a tough time, but I'm pleased it's all behind me now and I'm looking forward to continued success with what is clear to be a fantastic group of players.

"We're [up] against some of the best teams in the world and that's what you need in a Paralympic year: to be tested against the best possible opposition.

"I missed out on the tournament last year so I'm determined to make up for lost time and really go for it this time around."


The returning pair is joined by the likes of the powerful Simon Munn and the experienced Ian Sagar as they put the finishing touches to their Paralympic preparations.

Meanwhile, women's coach Garry Peel has named a top-strength side as Britain looks to retain the title it won last year.

The side will face a tough task against the US, Germany and Australia, which won gold, silver and bronze, respectively, at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, but Peel has confidence in his players.

"I'm delighted with the team I've named and I'm really looking forward to seeing what they can do," he said.

"All 12 are fantastic players, and work fantastically as a team and with the tactics we like to employ.

"It's going to be very interesting to see how we fare against the likes of the US and the other top teams, but these are the teams you have to test yourself against if you want to get to the top.

"We've shown some fantastic stuff in the past weeks and months, and I'm expecting us to shine at the BT Paralympic World Cup."

Meanwhile, Freeman is joined in the women's team by young stars Laurie Williams and Judith Hamer while the experienced Louise Sugden will lead the side.

Freeman, Britain's youngest player at the 2008 Paralympic Games, is set to be the team's major weapon and she believes her country has the beating of the US, the world's number-one side.

"All 12 of us girls can't wait to get going," said Freeman.

"The BT Paralympic World Cup is a [top] quality competition and all four teams will be desperate to gain any kind of advantage over the others with under 100 days to go until the Paralympics.

"The team is in great shape and having won the event last year we're all looking forward to going out and retaining our title."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2012: GB wheelchair basketball teams to lock horns with world's best at World Cup