Antony Cotterill’s Paralympic career has so far been reduced to watching from the stands – but the wheelchair tennis ace insists all that will change at London 2012.

Despite being ranked 14th in the world ahead of the 2008 Beijing Games the 31-year-old missed out on a trip to the Far East, with Brits Peter Norfolk and Jamie Burdekin going instead.

The former Ryles Park High School pupil was forced into a spectator role as a result, looking on from the stands as Norfolk retained his quad singles title and won doubles bronze with Burdekin.

However Cotterill has been a man on a mission since taking his tally of international singles titles to four and doubles to two – winning at the Czech, Polish and Borden Opens last year.

And Cotterill is convinced he is in line for a more hands-on role in the capital.

"Last time the Paralympics came around I just missed out on the qualification, which was gutting," he said.

"We needed to have a ranking in the top 12 in the world and I was world number 14, but the tennis federation took me out to Beijing for the experience.

"In a way it was great for me to get the chance to go out there, but it was really difficult to watch from so close and almost be part of the team but not be able to compete.

"That’s not going to happen again though, and I will be doing everything in my power to make sure I don’t miss out in London.

"It’s going to be tough to qualify for that Paralympic team because there are six of us going for three spots. Peter Norfolk will definitely qualify, but I’d like to think I will get there as well."

Over the next 500 days Cotterill’s bid for Paralympic glory will see him start at the Cajun Classic in America before finishing off next January with the Australian Open.

Between then Cotterill will get just one chance to compete in front of loved ones, at July’s British Open in Nottingham, but has his sights set on making up for that a year on.

"I saw what it was like out in Beijing with the home support and I expect it to be the same in London with everyone there to cheer us on," he added.

"If that doesn’t give us a lift then nothing will. We never get any sort of crowds like that at the moment so it’s a great opportunity for us.

"Because I mainly compete abroad my friends and family rarely get to see me but I intend on making sure they can’t miss me at London 2012."

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