Basketball - Smith's Beijing dream

6:14pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

TIPTREE'S Wendy Smith is eager for a shot at glory in Beijing after scooping wheelchair basketball bronze at the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

The 36-year-old helped her side claim the final spot on the podium after a thrilling 57-34 victory over Brazil.

Smith, who plays for the Essex Outlaws wheelchair basketball team, was part of the GB team that reached the quarter-finals at the Athens Paralympics and is desperate to be on the plane to Beijing.

"Athens was an amazing experience, the best one as far as I am concerned because it is the home of the Olympics," said veteran Smith.

"We did well to get to the quarters, but I would love to see us get further this time round.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it - it was an incredible experience. There is nothing like the Paralympics.

"I am looking forward to Beijing now, that is if I hopefully make it through to selection."

Great Britain were unbeaten on the first day of the competition but successive defeats to the Netherlands and then China in the semis, forced Gary Peel's side to settle for a place in the bronze medal playoff.

Head coach Peel said: "I love this tournament. It is so important for the GB women's team. They don't get many tournaments of this calibre with world class opposition. It is invaluable for our Beijing preparation and development."

Smith, who took up basketball in 2002 and was called back into the squad for the tournament, explained how Peel had selection at the back of his mind with Beijing on the horizon.

She said: "The tournament went really well. Against the Dutch we weren't playing for a win - we were just trying things out, trying to get things right. It was disappointing to lose to China, but felt good to finish with a win against Brazil."

The Paralympic World Cup is hosted by the British Paralympic Association. It is sanctioned by the IPC and IWBF, and supported by UK Sport, Manchester City Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

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