Images credit: Chris Cox / TUB Podcast
Northern Ireland Men’s and Scotland Women’s 3×3 teams have qualified for the upcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games, taking place in Birmingham later this year. Both teams qualified on Thursday at the IWBF Europe 3×3 Commonwealth Games Qualifiers held at the sportscotland Inverclyde National Sport Training Centre in Largs on the scenic west coast of Scotland.
England Men’s and England Women’s 3×3 teams have automatic qualification for the Games due to host nation status. All four Men’s and Women’s teams will join four other nations each at the Games in pursuit of gold.
The teams heading to Birmingham 2022 will be making history as wheelchair basketball is set to make its debut appearance in the competition, marking the first time the sport has been included within a Commonwealth Games.
The wheelchair basketball competition format at the Games will be 3×3, a faster paced version of the game which is set to thrill the fans.
On qualifying for the Games, James MacSorley (Northern Ireland) said:
“It feels absolutely amazing. I’ve been saying to people there is a rich history of wheelchair basketball in Northern Ireland and it’s absolutely a pleasure to be another piece of that.
“[on the 3×3 format] I play so much 5×5 that it took a little bit for me to get used to it. I was really well supported by everyone at Disability Sport Northern Ireland, everyone from Sport Northern Ireland, and Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland. They enabled us to come in in good shape, ready, prepared, we’ve done everything possible to come here and try to win the tournament which we were able to do.”
On Scotland Women’s performance and qualification, Robyn Love said:
“It’s unbelievable getting to represent Scotland at home and captain my country – I think I’m the most proud person in the world right now.
“[on preparations for Birmingham 2022] In the summer we’ll be doing much of the same: building and watching video. We are all learning this 3×3 game and we are all learning together. For us I think it will be a fun adventure in the summer.”
Final results from the qualifier:
