By David Gold

APaul Brown_April_27_pril 27 - Australia coach Paul Brown (pictured left) has selected 13 players to take part in the seven-a-side cerebral palsy International Tournament in Yevpatoriya City, Ukraine, next month.


The competition is taking place at the National Centre of Paralympic and Deaflympic Training from May 1 to 10.

It is a key event ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and is being hosted by the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee.

Ukraine, who won gold in Beijing 2008, qualified for London 2012 via the European Championships in 2010.

Australia have not made it to this summer's Games, but this tournament could help them in their goal to reach the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Iran, Brazil, Netherlands, Russia, the United States and Argentina, who will join Britain at this summer's tournament, are all visiting Ukraine for the competition.

Australia will compete with the Netherlands, Brazil and Ukraine in Group B, while Russia, Iran, the United States and Argentina form Group A.

Brown is sending his assistant Kai Lammert to coach the squad during the tournament, as he is unable to attend for personal reasons.

Pararoo2 April_27
Australia are fresh from a recent Asian seven-a-side tournament held in Abu Dhabi (pictured above, Australia in yellow and green), where a young squad was picked to play.

With an eye on the future, Brown said: "Like the squad we took to Abu Dhabi, this is a young side that we have high hopes for."

"This tournament will be a great opportunity for the players to test themselves against teams that have qualified for the Paralympics and the experience will provide them with the knowledge of what standard is required to qualify and compete at 2016 Paralympics in Brazil.

"Unfortunately, I am unable to travel on this occasion, but I am confident that Kai and David [Cantoni] will be able to manage the team."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]