Bill Johnson and Joey Johnson have been announced as the GB Men’s coaches ahead of the Belgium Easter Tournament – a crucial appointment ahead of the IWBF World Championships in June, European Championships in August, and the ambitious Paris strategy.
Brothers Bill and Joey bring extensive experience and will work collaboratively as the GB Men’s coaching team. Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada, Bill and Joey are set to deliver world class coaching with their first competition taking place in Belgium this month.
Bill’s significant experience in coaching includes leading Canada as coach to become World Champions at the Toronto 2014 Women’s World Championships, bronze at the 2010 Women’s World Championships in Birmingham, and two Paralympic Games (6th at London 2012, 5th at Rio 2016).
Joey is a decorated retired Paralympian representing Canada, having won three gold (London 2012, Athens 2004, Sydney 2000) and one silver (Beijing 2008), and 2006 World Champion at the IWBF World Championship held in Amsterdam. A natural leader, Joey was the captain of RSV-Lahn Dill during his time in the German league. Joey has an existing history of working with BWB, having been an Assistant Coach with the performance teams in 2016-2017.
On his appointment, Bill commented:
“It is a great honour to receive this appointment and to now be a part of the British Wheelchair Basketball family. Great Britain has a fantastic group of athletes, and I am quite excited to be a part of their journey through to the Paris Paralympics next summer.”
On his appointment, Joey commented:
“It is exciting to back with the team. To get to work with this great group of athletes is a tremendous opportunity. I look forward to, and will embrace, the challenges that lay ahead.”
Diccon Edwards, Performance Director, commented:
“It is brilliant that we have been able to bring Bill and Joey in to lead the GB Mens programme. They both have significant experience of winning on the world stage and an ability to create high performing teams.
“What really stood out in the process was their belief in the importance of teamwork and this aligns directly with the vision of the programme. They are both outstanding coaches and great people who I know will enable a positive environment for the players to be successful.”
The GB Men are in action at the Easter Tournament in Belgium, taking place 7th-9th April: https://iwbf.org/event/2023-easter-tournament-wheelchair-basketball/
Squad for Easter Tournament:
| Name | Classification |
| Jim Palmer | 1.0 |
| Kyle Marsh | 2.0 |
| Greg Warburton | 2.0 |
| Simon Brown | 2.0 |
| James McSorley | 2.0 |
| Harry Brown | 2.5 |
| Phil Pratt | 3.0 |
| Ben Fox | 3.5 |
| Tyler Baines | 3.5 |
| Lee Fryer | 4.0 |
| Martin Edwards | 4.0 |
| Jack Perry | 4.5 |
| Terry Bywater | 4.5 |
| Lee Manning | 4.5 |
