It was announced yesterday (January 13) that William Sharman will captain the Great Britain & Northern Ireland team for the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match at the end of the month.

A fine 2013 outdoor season saw the 110 metre hurdler defeat the 13.50 second barrier on numerous occasions, and went on to clock his now personal best of 13.26 at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games at the end of July.

Two weeks later the 29-year-old cemented his incredible form by finishing fifth in a highly competitive hurdles final at the World Championships in Moscow.

The Glasgow International, which will be held on Saturday, January 25, at the Emirates Arena, will welcome numerous national and international stars, including former world 100 metre champion Kim Collins.

The unique format will see the British team go head-to-head with Scotland, USA and Commonwealth Select in a bid to claim overall victory.

Britain’s 30-strong team includes Olympic gold medallist, Greg Rutherford, sub-10 second man James Dasaolu and Holly Bleasdale, the 2013 European Indoor pole vault victor.

After being named captain, Sharman told British Athletics: “It’s a real privilege to have been asked by Neil Black to captain the team. Not many athletes get the opportunity to lead a team at a major event, so I’m really looking forward to making my mark on and off the track in Glasgow.

Thank you very much for the well wishes on twitter. Delighted an honoured to be Captain of the team and looking forward to making an impact.

— William Sharman (@williamsharman) January 13, 2014

“I had another consistent year last season with another world final in one of the most competitive events in the sport. The aim now is to build on that performance and challenge for medals both indoors and outdoors in 2014.”

For the first time in the events 23-year history, the 2014 competition will see para-athletes contribute to the overall team score. The GB & NI team boasts Sophie Kamlish, 200 metre bronze medallist at the IPC Athletics World Championships, Erin McBride and Michael Poulton.

Paralympic star Jonnie Peacock was set to compete in Glasgow, following advice from doctors though, the 20-year-old has been advised to rest a minor injury he picked up in winter training.

British Athletics’ Performance Director Neil Black spoke ahead of the meet: “We’ve got a really strong team to open up the indoor season at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match. It’s a great opportunity not only for senior athletes, but for our less experienced team members to go up against some of the best in the world.

“2014 is another busy year with the World Indoors, European Championships, Commonwealth Games and IPC European Championships all on the horizon. Glasgow will give an indication of where everyone is in performance terms at the start of the season, and I’m really looking forward to it.

“William [Sharman] is a very strong, respected figure within the GB & NI team, which is one of the reasons why he has been chosen to lead the team out. He has shown time and time again consistency in his performances and I’m sure this meet will be no different.”

The event will be the first major sporting event in Glasgow before the Commonwealth Games and will give many of the athletes a little taster of what’s to come in a few months time.

The full GB & NI team:

MEN: 60m; James Dasaolu, 150m; James Ellington, 400m; Nigel Levine, 600m; Andrew Osagie, 1,500m; Charlie Grice, 3,000m; Andy Vernon, 60m hurdles; Will Sharman, high jump; Robbie Grabarz, long jump; Greg Rutherford, 4x400m; Nigel Levine, Richard Strachan, Richard Buck, Luke Lennon-Ford, Conrad Williams, T44 60m; Michael Poulton.

WOMEN: 60m; Asha Phillip, 150m; Jodie Williams, 400m; Margaret Adeoye, 800m; TBC, 1,500m; Jemma Simpson, 60m hurdles; Tiffany Porter, long jump; Shara Proctor, pole vault; Holly Bleasdale, 4x400m; Margaret Adeoye, Meghan Beesley, Victoria Ohuruogu, Laura Wake, Jodie Williams, T12 60m; Erin McBride, T44 long jump; Sophie Kamlish.

Messages of support swept onto Sharman’s Twitter page:

*High five* to @BritAthletics 110m hurdles star @williamsharman who’ll captain the GB & NI team for @Sainsbury Glasgow International Match

— SPIKES (@spikesmag) January 13, 2014

Nice one @williamsharman congrats on the captaincy of the @BritAthletics team at @sainsburys International Match. Good start to 2014!

— Claire Furlong (@ClaireFurlong14) January 13, 2014