Calum Thompson, from Newton Abbot, was part of the Great Britain Men's Deaf Basketball Team, which was participating for the first time in the World Deaf Championships, held in Sicily.

Calum, 19, a student at South Devon College, Paignton, had previously gained experience playing for GB in the U21 World Deaf Championships in 2010, and was part of the U21 team competing in the European Championships the year before.

Dyrons Leisure Centre staff member Tom Buckley provided a training programme to increase Calum's fitness levels, and this proved invaluable when the squad was reduced to nine players through injury.

The first group stage game was against Venezuela. The GB team knew it would be difficult to achieve a win, but the aim was to keep things tight.

'Unfortunately the team lost to the Venezuelans, who went on to finish runners up in the championships.

The GB team lost their group stage games against Poland and Greece.

They then beat Japan before narrowly losing to Russia and Poland.

Said Calum: 'The championships proved to be a brilliant experience and I'm very glad that I had the opportunity to compete.

'It has brought the players closer together which will enable the GB team to become a stronger unit in the future.'