HIGH Wycombe-based Claire Strange has been nursing an injury for some time but the women’s wheelchair basketball player is fit and ready for the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships, starting today in Birmingham.

The 30-year-old, who has played in three Olympic Games, is thankful that the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) stepped-in to sponsor last weekend’s pre-World Championship Wheelchair Basketball Challenge.

It allowed Strange to get some competitive match practice after missing out on a recent trip to America.

Strange, who broke her back in a horse riding accident, said: “The pre-tournament was really helpful. We played America and Japan and they are one and four in the world.

“It allowed us to put things right ahead of the World Championship.”

The experienced player believes the team has progressed markedly since they won the bronze medal in the FSB-backed European Championships at Stoke Mandeville last summer.

She added: “The World Championship is a big step-up for the girls as we are facing some really good players.

“But the more experienced we get at this stage the better.”