SHEFFIELD Steeler Phil Pratt is determined to lead by example and inspire the British team to gold medal success at the Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Hamburg after being appointed as skipper. 

The British squad boasts vast experience, including eight of the 12 players who contributed to the bronze medal-winning performance at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Britain face Poland, South Korea and the United States in Pool B – and head into the World Championships in excellent form having gone undefeated at British Wheelchair Basketball’s recent Continental Clash in Sheffield.

Pratt, 24, is determined to make his mark on one of the biggest stages of them all and claim top step on the podium – and he insists the pressure of being handed the captain’s armband for the first time is not affecting his performances.

“I don’t feel any pressure right now to be captaining the team for the first time,” said Pratt. “There’s no pressure, the boys are great. We have been here training every day in Sheffield and the vibe has been great.

“People didn’t get on with Roy Keane at Manchester United when he was captain and they still got results. But we are best mates, playing XBOX together, going out to Nando’s to eat together. We do everything together.

“I aim to lead by example at my first tournament as captain and hopefully lead us to success.

“The team ambitions are always to get gold. If we are going for anything else, then what’s the point in going. We are here every day, getting up at stupid times, pushing each other in different sessions every day – and it’s all about winning the competition.”

Bates, who plays for Sheffield Steelers insists Britain are as confident as they can be for the competition in Hamburg and revealed the preparation has been meticulous.

He has also encouraged the nation to get behind the British team – but revealed America, the reigning Paralympic champions and 2014 World Championship runners-up, are the team to beat in Germany later this month.

 “It’s always a huge honour being selected,” added Pratt. “For me growing up I always wanted to be part of the GB Wheelchair Basketball team and to actually be here now playing against some of my idols from when I was growing up is surreal. It’s a huge honour.

“We are going into the World Championships undefeated in the two last tournaments and since I have been in the team that has never happened before. It’s amazing preparation.

“USA are our toughest opponents, they won gold at the Paralympics.

“Training has been amazing. Since I have been in the team it has been the best preparation that I have ever had. We have got amazing facilities at the EIS in Sheffield – British Wheelchair Basketball have done such a phenomenal job and without the funding of UK Sport, it wouldn’t be

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