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Friday 30 Jul 2004

MANCHESTER SIGNALLER GOES TO THE PARALYMPICS

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A Manchester-based signaller has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics in Athens. Steve Lee, 42, who is a signaller at Astley signal box, is one of only two British basketball referees going to the Paralympics in September. He will join over 20 other officials from Australia, Mexico, Turkey, Italy, Iran and Greece refereeing matches. Steve said: “The selection committee has a list of referees and they look at how many games we’ve refereed, our overall ability and a whole lot of other factors before they will nominate you.  It will be a great opportunity and honour for me, a chance to meet new friends and gain new experiences.” Steve, who lives in Warrington and is married with two grown-up daughters, qualified as an international referee a number of years ago and has refereed a number of European and international matches. He started out playing basketball before deciding to become a referee himself and working his way up through the ‘badge’ system. - more - Para Olympics – 2 Steve hopes there will be a lot of coverage on the television of the basketball events because it is one of the most popular sports and is one of Great Britain’s strongest events. Steve added: “I believe I am the only Network Rail employee who has ever been selected to go to the Paralympics to represent Great Britain as an official.  I will be extremely proud to represent the country as well as Network Rail.” Steve’s signalling manager, Dave Kippax, said: “I am very proud of Steve and his achievement in being called up to the Paralympics.  I wish him all the best when he’s over there and hope he makes the right decisions!”