The England Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Squad has begun preparation for the World Cup in 2013. 

The 20 person squad gathered at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Sunday to start the process of preparing to retain the World Cup in 2013 under the guidance of Head coach Phil Roberts and Mark Roughsedge, Assistant Coach.

The squad is meeting on the second Sunday of each month until June 2013 and will be going through an intense physical and mental preparation programme to whittle the team down to a final selection of 10 players who will pull on the England jersey. 

The training days will happen at locations around England with the team taking the opportunity to showcase our game in the build up to 2013.

In March, the squad are planning to travel to France for a mini tour, around the Toulouse Region, playing two matches against fierce rivals France in the build up. Phil Roberts was pleased with the start.

He said: "We have selected 20 players from five clubs and have a great balance of experience, ball playing skills, power and pace. 

"We are in a great place with the opportunity to build and develop the team over the next 9 months, covering every part of the game and athlete preparation so we can get it right when the time comes’ ‘Selection will be tough. 

"All players in the 20 have a chance of getting into the final team of 10 and I am delighted that we have included youngsters in the squad with an eye on 2017 but who also have an opportunity to put pressure on the established players and make the cut."

Squad

Wayne Boardman  (Halifax) Nick Brookes   (Medway Dragons) Harry Brown   (Halifax) Jack Brown   (Halifax) Paul Craig   (Mersey Storm) Joe Coyd   (Medway Dragons) Tom Docherty   (Halifax) Mike Fairclough  (Mersey Storm) Chris Greenhalgh  (Halifax) Jack Heggie   Bury Jigsaw) Nathan Holmes   (Halifax) Ian Kenny   (Bury Jigsaw) Paul McCormick  (Bury Jigsaw) Martin Norris   (Bury Jigsaw) Adam Rigby   (Bury Jigsaw) Phil Roberts   (Bury Jigsaw) Rhys Shears   (Bradford Bulls) Gina Smallwood  (Halifax) Mike Stevenson  (Mersey Storm) Andy Wharton   (Halifax) Support Phil Roberts  Head Coach  (Bury Jigsaw) Mark Roughsedge Assistant Coach (Medway Dragons) Martin Coyd  Team Manager  (Medway Dragons) Andy Gardiner  Football Manager (Leeds Rhinos) Matt King OBE  Media & Admin Manager Kelly Burke  Physio   (London Broncos) Dee Jennings  Doctor   (London Broncos) Steve Head  Sports Psychology