Paralympic call up for wheelchair basketball club founder

Jacqueline Cass, aged 27, who has been on a two-year programme of interviews and assessments, found out in April that she would be a wheelchair basketball table officiate at the games which start on August 29.
As part of her role, Mrs Cass will be in charge of tasks such as updating the electronic scoreboard, how many fouls players have, the time-outs and stopping and starting the games.
She started the Thames Valley Vikings Wheelchair Basketball team, which trains at Kennet Leisure Centre, about eight years ago and over those years, she has raised £40,000 to buy specialist wheelchairs.
At the end of last year she was appointed an MBE for voluntary services.
She said: "When I found out I was really excited but nervous as well.
"It's going to be the biggest thing I have ever done.
"There are going to be hundreds of thousands of people watching.
"Seven years ago when we won the bid, I wanted to be involved and now it's six days away - It's unbelievable that I'm going."
Mrs Cass will also be staying in the Olympic village alongside the athletes throughout the tournament from Monday (27) until the end of the games.
She said: "To be part of the Paralympic family is an honour, especially to be staying there."
"The team are going to do really well."
She added: "I hope it will raise the profile of disability sport because people are able to access all the sports that are available.
"I think it can help locally as well as nationally.
"It's going to be truly amazing."
For more information about officiating, player or coaching locally, contact

, call 07775682987 or visit