HAVING already secured himself a Paralympic medal this summer, Leigh wheelchair basketball player Gregg Warburton’s 2016 could get even better after being shortlisted for SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award.

Despite being just 19 years of age, Warburton can proudly boast to being a Paralympic medallist after helping Great Britain to bronze in Rio in September.

He scored double figures in games against Algeria and Brazil and was a part of the team which beat Turkey in the bronze-medal match.

Not bad for a first Paralympic appearance, although Warburton had already been attracting attention after winning gold at the 2015 European Wheelchair Basketball Championships.

Added to that he has helped Oldham Owls to the National Premier League title, earlier this year.

SportsAid’s One-to-Watch Award was launched in 2006 with double Olympic medallist Tom Daley the inaugural winner, with six of the ten recipients competing at the Rio Games this summer.

Warburton is now in line to join such illustrious company as one of ten nominees selected from over 1,100 rising British stars supported by SportsAid across more than 60 different sports.

The winner will be presented at the charity’s annual SportsBall on, November 24, and Warburton admitted taking the gong home would be the perfect end to a dream season.

“To be nominated among such names is a big honour, it’s only just sinking in,” said the former Westleigh High School pupil.

“There have been some big winners of the award in the past like Tom Daley, so just to be nominated is something special.

“Hopefully it’s also a chance to shine a light on my sport and show what it’s all about.

“I still don’t have the words to describe what winning a bronze medal at the Paralympics meant.

“At the start of the year I had a target to try and get on the team but I never thought I would end up with a medal.

“ It’s actually being kept next to my bed at the moment.

“It was like nothing I had experienced before, playing in front of 15,000 people in sold out venues and having so much attention on us.”

Despite his impressive Paralympic medal, Warburton also still qualifies to play at under-23 level.

And he admits he will be targeting the two fronts, next year.

“This year has been a busy year but I could hopefully have another busy one in 2017 too,” Warburton added.

“I’m going to be playing for my club but we also have the senior European Championships in Spain and Great Britain are the reigning champions, while there are the junior World Championships in Toronto too.

“It’s going to be hectic but I’m looking forward to it and trying to be a part of both.”

The winner of SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award will be revealed at the charity’s 40th anniversary SportsBall.

That prestigious event takes place in London on Thursday 24 November.

All funds raised from the SportsBall helps to support the next generation of British athletes.

For details and further information log on to www.sportsball.org.uk for tickets.