Rio Paralympics 2016: Interview with Liverpool’s hopefuls

Interview by Mark Langshaw

The 2016 Olympics may be approaching its final lap, but there are scores of athletes waiting on the starting blocks for their opportunity to shine at the Rio Paralympics.

This biggest event on the disability sports calendar is guaranteed to include impossible feats, tales of triumph over adversity and moments which truly exemplify the resilience of the human spirit.

With the tournament fast approaching, Your Move has tracked down a trio of Paralympic hopefuls from the Liverpool City Region who are looking ahead to the finals with eager anticipation.

Jamie Burdekin
Wheelchair Tennis

Former Royal Marine Jamie Burdekin was paralysed from the waist down following a car crash in Liverpool in 2000 aged 21, but has since found great success as a wheelchair tennis player. A veteran of the sport, Bootle-born Jamie represented Britain at the last two Paralympics and has numerous tournament triumphs to his name, including a bronze medal in Beijing.

QST: How have you been preparing for the Rio Paralympics?

“I played in the British Open to feature in one final tournament before the Paralympics and trained hard for that. I’ve been taking it tournament by tournament and it’s been going well.

“I’ve got a great team around me and everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet and striving for the same goal. I’m going into the games confident and not taking anyone lightly. My plan is to take it game by game, and match by match.”

QST: You’re a veteran of the sport with two Paralympics under your belt. Do you feel like a mentor to your younger teammates?

“Yeah, I suppose so. The younger players approach me with questions and I tend to room with them a lot, so I try to advise them the best I can. I feel that I have to be professional because they’re looking up to me, so I’m just making sure I’m doing everything right, from my warming up to my matchplay and attitude.

“The main piece of advice I’ve given to the youngsters who are competing in the games for the first time is basically just to enjoy it.”

QST: How does Britain’s current wheelchair tennis team compare to the ones at past Paralympics?

“The squad compares favourably in terms of potential, ability and experience. Some of our younger players featured at Beijing at 16 years of age, so I think experience is going to play a big part but the team’s ability has improved as well.”

QST: At which point in your career did you realise you could go right to the top in wheelchair tennis?

“When I got the opportunity to play for my country in 2004 it opened my eyes to the potential of wheelchair tennis but I didn’t take it seriously until a year before the games in Beijing. When I won the bronze medal there it opened so many doors for me and I started believing in myself and realised I could have a good future in the sport. I assembled a good team around me, got a few sponsors on board, and things kicked off from there.”

Jack Hunter-Spivey
Table Tennis

Born and raised in Anfield, table tennis ace Jack Hunter-Spivey is the only player ever to win the junior, senior and open British titles in the same year. A wheelchair user due to cerebral palsy, Jack narrowly missed out on selection for London 2012 and is relishing the opportunity to take part in his first Paralympics in Rio.

QST: What does having the opportunity to represent you country at a major sport mean to you?

“To represent your country at the highest level is the greatest achievement for any sportsperson and I’ll be incredibly proud to wear that shirt in Rio. Missing out on the London games put a fire in my belly to make it to Rio and do everyone proud. To qualify for the finals was a great personal achievement.”

QST: What are your personal goals for the Rio Paralympics?

“As Rio is my first games I’m after experience but equally I know I can beat anyone on my day. I’ve defeated some of the top players in the world, so if I play my best I could go far, but I don’t really have any personal goals other than to play the best table tennis I can.”

QST: Are there any older players in the table tennis squad who have mentored you?

“In the team there’s a wealth of experience and the older players have helped me a lot. Just with things like what the village is like, what kit you have to wear – little things you wouldn’t necessarily know in advance. My teammates have been a massive help to me, not necessarily the individual players but the squad as a whole.”

QST: How do you rate the table tennis scene here in Liverpool?

“Around Liverpool we have a really good setup. I started playing in Widnes at Halton Table Tennis Club but have also played in the Liverpool league, which is full of top clubs, experienced players and really strong. I definitely recommend getting involved.

“I don’t come back too often because I’m training fulltime but when I’m in the area I try to train at Halton and support local table tennis tournaments like the Liverpool Open.”

Sean Highdale
Football

Sean Highdale was a Liverpool FC academy prospect before a devastating car crash which claimed the lives of two of his friends left him critically injured. After intensive rehabilitation, Sean was able to return to the sport he loves and is set to represent Team GB’s Cerebral Palsy football team in Rio.

QST: How has competing in Paralympic sport helped you come to terms with the injury your suffered?

“Getting the opportunity to get involved in Paralympic sport has helped me massively physically and mentally. It gave me the incentive to keep my body fit and strong – and most of all stay positive. It was hard, going through what I went through but this has given me a massive boost and I’m loving every minute.”

QST: How important a role did Liverpool Football Club play in your rehabilitation?

“I really don’t think I would have been able to do it without them. I was sent to the best doctors and surgeons in the country and received the best physiotherapy. They kept pushing me to get to where I am today.”

QST: Are there enough opportunities for budding Paralympic athletes in the Liverpool City Region?

“London 2012 really raised the profile of all Paralympic sport. The FA is involved is doing a lot of work engaging people with disability in football at both grassroots and elite level. The County FA in Liverpool has received funding to appoint a dedicated disability officer who is tasked with developing opportunities to play football at a local level.”

QST: How are your preparations for the Rio Paralympics going? What does a typical training day involve in the run-up to the games?

“My preparations are going well, I’m feeling as fit as I have for a long time and can’t wait to put on the Paralympics GB shirt. Training is very intense, whether we are at a camp or at home. Each of us has to make sure we are as fit as we can be when we go to Rio. Nobody wants to have any regrets and let anyone down and I’m sure everyone is giving their all.”

The Rio Paralympics 2016 will take place between 7 – 18 September.