EIGHTEEN members of Worcester Dragon Boat Racing Club will represent Great Britain in the World Nations Championships in Poland during the last weekend of August.

Their quest for international colours began last September with long winter training as part of the British National Training Squad.

Selection for the three juniors, six open and seven senior open team members was confirmed in national time trials in June and July.

Chairman of the club, Tim Ward, and Polly Taylor lead the GB junior teams as coach and team manager.

While several of the group gain international colours for the first time, many will seek to repeat the World and European gold medal successes of 1999 and 2002.

Essential bottled water supplies for the 125 strong squad have been guaranteed as a result of generous sponsorship from Severn Trent Water.

Top open senior squad member Dave Walsh is one of the few to benefit from individual sponsorship from local building company A S Perkins Ltd.

Virtually all the remaining squad members will have to fund the significant cost of their international efforts themselves.

Those selected will join other club members tomorrow as they race against the best crews from across the UK in the Worcester round of the National League.

The event takes place between 10am and 6pm behind the Grandstand, Worcester Racecourse.