THE Great Britain Under-23s coach has come calling for Barrow wheelchair basketball wizard Tyler Baines after another wonderful year.

The 16-year-old has gone from strength to strength on the court in 2018 – winning National League Division Two play-offs with Carlisle Panthers' second team, and leading the North West Under-19s to victory in the National Junior Championships.

At the latter, in Worcester, Baines gained his fourth gold in the last six years – his first at under-19s level – with a series of high-quality performances as the North West topped their pool.

He was their top-scorer in three of their four pool matches, netting eight against the North East, 15 against Scotland and 12 against Wales as they went unbeaten.

An 18-15 quarter-finals success against Northern Ireland followed, and a 21-9 win over Yorkshire in the last-four – when he scored nine of their points.

And Baines was on form again in a 24-16 triumph over Scotland in the final, scoring six points to take his personal tally for the tournament to 53 – from a team total of 162.

His displays saw him picked out by Great Britain Under-23s coach Pete Finbow, who spoke to the South Cumbrian youngster several times during the weekend, congratulating him on his displays. He is currently lining up his squad for the World Championships in 2021.

Baines was thrilled with the competition, and said: “The National Junior Championships are one of my favourite times of the year.

“I think I had a good tournament and was praised several times by Pete Finbow, who told me I was on his radar.

“I am knocking on the GB door, and I won't let up until I achieve my goal of representing my country.”

Away from his North West duties, Baines tasted play-off success with Carlisle's second team and also defeat in the Division One play-off final with their first string.

He will join new club Lancaster Bulldogs for the start of the 2018/19 campaign as he looks to further progress in the sport.

His efforts all-round mean the Walney School pupil, who finished his GCSEs this year, will represent England North in the 2018 School Games in Loughborough. The event will run from August 30 until September 2, and features a wide array of sports.

He was also awarded the first-ever Northern Children of Courage (Sporting Achievement) Award at a ceremony in Newcastle.

“I have a massive few weeks ahead with the School Games just around the corner, and then it's back to the bread and butter stuff with my new National League team Lancaster,” Baines added.

Dad Mark is also thrilled with how his son has performed in the last year, and said: “He's had an unbelievable year all-round, on and off the court.

“As a family, we are bursting with pride with his achievements.His grandparents take him to training and league games all over the country, and we can't thank them enough for this.”

Tyler's brother Noah also competed in the recent National Junior Championships, representing the North West as an able-bodied competitor. They finished seventh, winning three of their seven matches.