THE draw for this year’s European Wheelchair Basketball Championships will take place at Worcester Cathedral later this month.

Twelve men’s and seven women’s teams will be split into groups at 2.30pm on Friday, January 30, ahead of the competition at the University Arena between August 28 and September 6.

This summer’s tournament also acts as a qualifier for next year’s Paralympics, with the top five men’s teams and top four women’s sides earning a spot in Rio.

Great Britain men will be looking to earn an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal on the European stage, while their female counterparts will be aiming to build on the form that saw them secure their highest ever World Championship finish last June.

British Wheelchair Basketball CEO Charlie Bethel said: “It is great that Worcester Cathedral has supported the European Championships by agreeing to host the draw.

“This truly inspirational venue reflects the prestige and history that the European Championships holds.

“It is fantastic that both the UK and Worcestershire will be welcoming people from across Europe and indeed the world with the congresses and international programmes that will be delivered in parallel to the championships.

“This championship highlights the great strides being made in paralympic sport and is part of the legacy of London 2012.

“It will also provide people with the opportunity to see the paralympic champions play and hopefully see the Great Britain teams win medals and the men’s team defend the title of European champions.”

The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester, added: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to host this event at Worcester Cathedral.

“It may seem an unusual event to hold in a cathedral but it is part of our commitment to the wider community to be open in this way. We wish the competitors all the best for the draw and competition.”

Professor David Green, vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University of Worcester, said: “This will be a wonderful 12 days of sport.

“Over the last two years, the people of Worcester and the region have shown very strong support for our Great Britain wheelchair basketball teams both when playing at the University Arena and in the Invictus Games.

“There is now a great appetite for this top flight European tournament. We look forward to welcoming all the players, officials and spectators.”

The draw will feature a wheelchair basketball demonstration and the opportunity to hear from some of GB’s leading players.