YORK boccia star Beth Moulam is gearing up along with her British team-mates for the European Championships next month.

The championships take place in Seville from November 22 to December 1.

It will be the first outing for the squad - which includes triple Paralympic gold medallist David Smith MBE - since Tokyo and players will want to measure up to their medal tally from 2019 when every British athlete earned a place on the podium.

This will also be one of the first competitions to launch separate events for men and women. Until now, boccia has been one of the only sports where men and women competed together.

Moulam said: “I’m really excited about the Europeans as I have the opportunity to play as an individual and in the pairs. Having competed at the Paralympic Games and getting my first international cap in the pairs, I feel I’ve now earned my boccia spurs.

“It was a dream last time at the Europeans as everyone in the GB squad won a medal. Hearing the national anthem seven times was quite overwhelming.

"This time around, there are more events with the separate male and female competitions. Let’s hope we can do the same again."

Boccia is a sport similar to bowls, played by athletes with physical disabilities.

In September, Moulam received the Andrew Longden ‘Hero of Disability’ awards at the CP Teens ball. The award recognises individuals who display a love for enhancing the lives of people with a disability and championing disabled people, a passion to give back, a dedication to enable opportunities for disabled people and a commitment to disability projects and initiatives.

Beth - who has cerebral palsy and a hearing impairment - is an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) user which means she uses a device to communicate.

At 12 years old, she started speaking at conferences around the world. She recently graduated with a first-class degree in Social Policy from the University of York and was invited to be student orator for her graduating class of 2021.

She has also co-founded Jorvik Boccia, a community boccia group which performs in the England Super League and York Frame Running Club.

Her website (www.bethmoulam.com) has become a resource for others with physical disabilities and speech impairments.