Nathan looking to Paralympic Games

Nathan looking to Paralympic Games

9 September 2015

TWELVE year-old schoolboy Nathan McCabe is hoping to smash his way to success in the world of disabled tennis.

Nathan is hoping to emulate his mum, Mary, by taking part in the Paralympic Games.

The Drumaroad lad has his sights set on competing at the 2020 Games in Japan.

Mum Mary won medals in wheelchair track racing at the Paralympic Games in Atlanta in 1996 and again in Sydney in 2000.

Formerly Mary Rice from Kilmore, she competed at both Games along with her sister, Sharon.

Nathan, a pupil at St Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan, recently won the Fair Play award at the Sainsbury’s School Games in Manchester.

This competition was for both able-bodied and disabled children from across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and winning the award was a huge achievement for Nathan as he has only been playing the sport for a few months.

Nathan, who has also represented Northern Ireland in wheelchair basketball at U-15 level, will be taking part in the Ulster Junior Championships at the Ozone Centre in Belfast this weekend. He practises at Spokes in Motion, also in Belfast.

“I am going for the experience and if I can get my backhand into play, then who knows what will happen,” Nathan said.

“ I was very surprised when I won the Fair Play award in Manchester, but delighted to have been recognised.”

Andy Murray is Nathan’s favourite player and he was disappointed when the Scot was beaten by Roger Federer at Wimbledon.

However, he has his eyes firmly set on the future. “I would love to get to the Paralympics and come back with a medal, just like my mum.”