A Gillingham man who suffered a spinal injury serving in the RAF hopes to be at next year’s Paralympics with Great Britain’s sitting volleyball team.

Darren Young, 53, is preparing with team-mates for the first international sitting volleyball tournament to take place in the UK since the London 2012 Paralympics - a crucial event in the qualification process for Paris 2024.

The ParaVolley Silver National League takes place in Nottingham from tomorrow (Friday) and into the weekend, involving nine teams from across Europe.

Young sustained a serious back and neck injury during a training exercise as a firefighter in the Royal Air Force, a life-changing moment. He took up sitting volleyball after being released on medical discharge and claims his involvement in the sport has been a life-saver.

“I really struggle with clinical depression and if it wasn’t for my family and for sport, I wouldn’t be here,” he confessed.

“I got to a point where I was on the verge of suicide due to the level of constant pain I am in. I am in so much pain I have to take painkillers to be able to give me enough relief to play and perform.

“Playing sitting volleyball for GB has given me some kind of closure. It helps me separate my two lives - before and after my injury.

“Sport has brought me back to my wife and son and sitting volleyball has given me another focus in my life. I still pinch myself every time I train with fellow team-mates who played in that 2012 Paralympics. They are great guys and still at 53 years of age I aspire to be like them playing the sport we now all love.

“I can’t wait to take on some of the best teams in Europe at the Silver Nations League in Nottingham. And hopefully secure some wins as we continue to try and qualify for Paris 2024.”

Five years and a day since he discovered the sport, he was called up and played in his first international against Germany last year. He’s been working hard towards selection for this weekend’s event and is excited to be involved again.

Young said: “I am proud to once again be selected to represent my country and cannot explain how important the sport has been for me in terms of my physical and mental wellbeing.

“After witnessing all the amazing athletes at the London 2012 Paralympics, I was inspired and wanted to try and be part of that buzz, but due to my injuries I never thought I would ever be part of a sport that could take me there.”

Sitting volleyball is a fast and exciting sport, played sitting on the floor by men and women of all ages - a perfect team sport for amputees and individuals with limb difference. It is played without a prosthetic which makes the game a great leveller for people with different types and levels of impairment.

British Volleyball are always looking for new sitting volleyball players, both with and without a disability, to join local clubs and compete in the national domestic league. A club finder is available on the Volleyball England website