A young Pembrokeshire Boccia player is taking on the best in the world this week.
Jacob Thomas from Bethesda is representing Great Britain in the CPISRA Boccia World Cup in Belfast.
For the teenager the event is one more stage on the road to achieving his Paralympic Dream.
One of four players representing Britain in international Boccia competitions, three will be picked to play at the 2012 Paralympics next year.
"I am proud to have been selected to wear the GB kit at the Boccia World Cup," said Jacob.
"It will give me a chance to test myself against the best players in the world."
The 16 year-old, who attends Ysgol y Preseli, has been playing Boccia for seven years and is a Welsh and British champion in the BC3 Category, as well as a member of the GB elite squad.
He trains between eight and 10 hours a week at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre and takes part in a weekend training camp in Bath every month with the GB squad.
"Every member of the teams brings their own strength to the squad and we are working towards the same goal - to earn a place in the final selection for the most exciting competition of all; the 2012 Paralympic Games," he said. "It's amazing to believe this could be possible."
Angela Miles, Disability Sport Development Officer for Sport Pembrokeshire - Pembrokeshire County Council's sports development arm - wished Jacob well in this week's competition.
"He is an outstanding sportsman and has worked extremely hard to get where he is today," she said.
Based on boules, boccia was originally developed for people with cerebral palsy but is now played by people of all abilities and disabilities.
So popular has it become in Pembrokeshire that there are now two clubs - the Young Vipers and Crymych Panthers - plus several 5x60 school clubs and an estimated 30-plus players.
Crymych Panthers and the Young Vipers meet together every Wednesday at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre from 5-7pm, if you are interested in playing Boccia please come along.
*The CPISRA (Cerebral Palsy Sports and Recreation Association) Boccia World Cup is taking place all this week at the University of Ulster in Belfast.
Caption
Jacob Thomas
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