WHEN Myles Sanderson left college, he had no interests and would just sit in his bedroom.
But the 21-year-old from Brampton is now looking forward to representing Team GB in basketball at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.
Myles was diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum when he was two, and communication and routine was very difficult at that time.
When he was ten, he was diagnosed as having moderate to severe learning difficulties.
But Myles plays basketball for seven hours a week and has greatly improved over the last three years.
His mum Helen puts the massive change down to a chance meeting with basketball coach Steve Woodhouse.
She said: “As he was leaving college I was introduced to the basketball coach Steve Woodhouse. Steve changed Myles’ life beyond anything I could hope for.
“Myles went for a taster session and enjoyed himself so much he went back for more.
“From that point, he has excelled in the sport. He has gone from playing one hour a week to playing seven hours a week.
“He has improved so much over the last three years. It gives him somewhere to go and to meet other young players who have learning disabilities, but also young people who have no disabilities. I am very proud of my son, he has done so much in his life by the age of 21.”
Last August, Myles took part in the Special Olympics in Sheffield, playing basketball for South Yorkshire, and helped the team win a bronze medal.
He will represent Team GB in the Special Olympics: World Summer Games in March.
Helen said: “To represent Team GB is a great honour. There are 129 athletes that are representing Team GB.
“There are only 10 male basketball players who have been chosen, with Myles being the only one from Barnsley and Rotherham area.
“He goes to the gym three times a week with his papa and occasionally with me.
“He really enjoys going and the relaxed environment there is an advantage.
“We tend to go at the quiet times as otherwise Myles finds it hard to cope with the crowds and loud noises.”
Now managers at Barnsley Premier Leisure have rewarded him by giving him FANS sponsorship  allowing him to use their gym facilities for a year and putting him forward for a Proud of Barnsley award.
Myles has attended Fitness Flex at Barnsley Premier Leisure’s Dearneside Leisure Centre since he found out that he had a place at the world games.
And when manager Martin Prest heard about Myles’s achievements, he nominated the young athlete for a year’s full membership.
Martin said: “Barnsley Premier Leisure is delighted to support the training requirements of Myles to help him to achieve his goals, which is to continue representing Great Britain at basketball.
“We would like to wish Myles continued success, particularly with the forthcoming Special World Games.”
