By Emily Goddard

British powerlifters have been training with Bath Rugby Club's first squadOctober 24 - British powerlifters on a performance camp for international competitors have been training with Bath Rugby Club's first squad.

The British Weight Lifting athletes, who were based at Help for Heroes' Recovery Centre, Tedworth House in Wiltshire, for the camp, paid a visit to Bath Rugby as part of a partnership between the organisations, while the event was also used to identify potential powerlifters among the wounded military personnel present.

Sergeant Micky Yule was one such athlete picked up at a past event who now regularly competes for Britain at powerlifting competitions.

"It's really inspirational to watch the Bath Rugby team training out on the pitch and it's great for us to get some work done in their gym too," he said.

"They have a very similar attitude to training as we do so I think we feed off of each other's drive and energy."

Equally, Bath Rugby Club was also particular inspired by the powerlifters.

Sgt Micky Yule now regularly competes for Great Britain in powerliftingSergeant Micky Yule now regularly competes for Great Britain in powerlifting


"It's inspiring to see the ambition and determination the wounded soldiers have," Stuart Hooper, Bath Rugby Club captain, said.

"As players and as a squad on the whole, there is a huge amount we can learn from them, and have already learnt over the course of their visits.

"I know they will do all they can to achieve their individual goals, and hope to see them in action for GB come the next Paralympics."

Tom Whittaker, Paralympic performance manager at British Weight Lifting added: "The drive, determination and focus required to succeed in powerlifting is shared by many in our armed forces, as well as other elite sports.

"Some of our athletes are lifting three to four times their own bodyweight, so I hope it's inspiring for everyone to see them in action, just as it's inspiring for us to meet and train with elite rugby players."

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