A FORMER army captain from Tadcaster has been selected to captain the UK team at the 2016 Invictus Games.

David Wiseman’s selection comes just weeks after he received an award from the Prime Minster for leading a team of army veterans in tackling the Boxing Day flooding disaster in Tadcaster.

The games, which are to be staged in Orlando, Florida, next month, aim to challenge wounded, sick or injured service personnel, and those who have left the Armed Forces, to strive for sporting excellence.

Patron Prince Harry is today due to unveil the UK’s team of 110, who will compete in 10 sports.

The Games were first staged in the UK in 2014 to great acclaim from competitors and spectators.

David Wiseman was commanding a small British Infantry team embedded within the Afghan National Army in Nad-e Ali district, Helmand province in 2009 when he was shot in the chest by the Taliban.

The round entered his shoulder and travelled the length of his torso, ricocheting on his ribs before coming to rest in his right lung; where it resides to this day.

He was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder in 2012, a condition which he says is now manageable thanks to the fantastic treatment he received alongside his physical rehabilitation.

On being chosen as UK Team Captain, he said today: “I have a huge emotional attachment to the Invictus Games and could not be prouder to have been selected to captain the UK Team at Orlando 2016.

“The reason for my pride? I think the Invictus Games is a shining example of what this community can achieve, a group of individuals from around the world coming together in order to show everyone that beyond injury, they can achieve the extraordinary.”

The team will compete in ten sports: Athletics; Archery; Wheelchair Basketball; Road Cycling; Powerlifting; Indoor Rowing; Wheelchair Rugby; Swimming, Sitting Volleyball, and a new sport for 2016, Wheelchair Tennis.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “Everyone selected for the UK team can be proud of what they have achieved as they prepare for success in Orlando. The MOD is once again backing this superb event and I look forward to being there to see our personnel and veterans demonstrate their fighting spirit."

The Royal British Legion’s Director General, Chris Simpkins said: “We are proud to support the UK delegation to the games and we will be encouraging everyone back home to get behind them.

"The Legion is co-ordinating travel, accommodation and tickets for family and friends attending the games in Florida to ensure that every participant can enjoy the support of their loved ones.

"We will provide support and pastoral care here in the UK while participants are preparing for the Games, and in Orlando during the event itself.”