Adam Bailey

Image: Club AMFIV

There may have been a reduced fixture list across the top divisions in Spain and Germany over the weekend, but there was still plenty of British interest with four games featuring nine GB athletes.

In Spain, it was a battle of British players with two head-to-head clashes in Spain’s Division de Honor. Lewis Edwards and Sam Mack both helped Iberconsa Amfiv to a 74:58 victory over Abdi Jama’s Amivel.

It was a game which saw Edwards end the weekend as the top-scoring British player with 12 points, along with recording three assists and seven rebounds. Jama scored 10 points for Amivel, taking his season’s tally to 138 points.

There was also a head-to-head clash in Gran Canaria as James MacSorley’s BSR ACE Gran Canaria beat Servigest Burgos 80:40 to move up to fifth in the table. MacSorley scored two points for Gran Canaria, while Lee Fryer and Will Bonner scored six and two points, respectively, for Burgos.

In Germany, Simon Brown and Ian Sagar were both in action for RSV Lahn-Dill, who recorded their sixth win of the season, thanks to a 94:43 victory over RBB Munchen Iguanas. Simon Brown ended the game with five points and three assists, while Ian Sagar scored two points.

Their latest victory keeps the pressure on RSB Thuringia Bulls, with Helen Freeman’s side two points clear at the top of the table.

Next-up for Brown and Sagar is a midweek game against Jim Palmer’s Rhine River Rhinos Wiesbaden on Wednesday (3 February, 18:30 UK Time). Wiesbaden were victorious at the weekend with Palmer scoring four points in their 64:58 win over ING Skywheelers.

Most Points (GB Players)

12 – Lewis Edwards (Amfiv; Spain)

10 – Abdi Jama (Amivel; Spain)

6 – Lee Fryer (Burgos; Spain)

Most Assists (GB Players)

3 – Simon Brown (Lahn-Dill; Germany); Lewis Edwards (Amfiv; Spain)

1 – Abdi Jama (Amivel; Spain); Ian Sagar (Lahn-Dill; Germany)

Most Rebounds (GB Players)

7 – Lewis Edwards (Amfiv; Spain)

3 – Ian Sagar (Lahn-Dill; Germany)

2 – Will Bonner (Burgos; Spain); Simon Brown (Lahn-Dill; Germany)

There’s a reduced fixture list in Spain and Germany this weekend with two British head-to-heads in Spain and three GB athletes in action in Germany.

Here’s who will be in action this weekend:

Spain – http://bsr.feddf.es/index.php

Iberconsa Amfiv v Amivel (17:00, UK Time – 30 January)	Lewis Edwards (Amfiv) Sam Mack (Amfiv) Abdi Jama (Amivel)
BSR ACE Gran Canaria v Servigest Burgos (18:00, UK Time – 30 January)	James MacSorley (Gran Canaria) Will Bonner (Burgos) Lee Fryer (Burgos)

Germany – https://www.rbbl.de/de/rbbl1/

British Wheelchair Basketball, the governing body for the sport in the UK, has today launched its ground-breaking ‘Inspire a Generation’ programme, in a bid to double participation over the next four years.

The new programme, driven by British Wheelchair Basketball and supported by £1.5m of funding from Sport England, is a hugely exciting development for the sport, with an ambition to engage an inactive population through inclusive activity and transition participants into longer-term active lifestyles.

The initiative is vital in helping support disabled participants find or return to physical activity, many of whom have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

British Wheelchair Basketball are recruiting Community Activators and Local Community Partners to deliver the Inspire a Generation programme. These individuals will receive the necessary support and virtual training to offer fun and enjoyable opportunities for people to participate in wheelchair basketball.

The six-week Inspire a Generation taster sessions will then begin in the summer (or when it is safe to do so) in communities across the country.

Lisa Pearce, Chief Executive at British Wheelchair Basketball, said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be launching the Inspire a Generation programme. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to grow participation and, thanks to substantial investment of £1.525m from the National Lottery and Sport England, the first time in nearly 10 years that significant funding has been made to support participation growth in wheelchair basketball. There are a potential 70,000 new people waiting to play our sport and through Inspire a Generation, we have the ability to introduce them to wheelchair basketball and embed sustained active lifestyles, whilst improving confidence and self-esteem.”

Great Britain Women’s Wheelchair Basketball player, Sophie Carrigill, added:

“This is a very exciting moment for wheelchair basketball and a positive move to encourage more people to play the game. Wheelchair basketball is an inclusive sport – anyone can play, irrespective of age, gender and ability. The programme is a fantastic introduction to our sport – my life is so much better because I discovered wheelchair basketball and I hope that others can experience that through Inspire a Generation.”

British Wheelchair Basketball have worked closely with Sport England to develop the initiative. Mike Diaper OBE, Sport England’s Executive Director of Children and Young People and Tackling Inactivity, said:

“With thanks to the National Lottery for their continued funding and support, we are immensely proud to be working with British Wheelchair Basketball to support the Inspire a Generation programme.

“In aiming to double participation of those playing wheelchair basketball alongside creating an accessible and inclusive environment to take part in grassroots sport, the Inspire a Generation programme is a significant step forward in helping more people gain the benefits of being active.

“Aligning with Sport England’s new 10-year strategy – Uniting the Movement – which was announced earlier this week, programmes such as Inspire a Generation will be pivotal in tacking inequalities and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to be active. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that the programme will have.”

The Inspire a Generation programme will also be supported by a number of national partners, including StreetGames, UK Coaching and Whizz Kidz.

Hannah Crane, Director of People & Partnerships at StreetGames, said:

“StreetGames knows that variety of activity and inclusive, fun sessions are key to getting and keeping young people active. Working with British Wheelchair Basketball on this project will continue to grow the variety of activity trusted community groups offer and the positive experiences young people have of sport on their doorstep.”

UK Coaching Director of Coaching Emma Atkins, added:

“We are really excited to be supporting British Wheelchair Basketball to reach out and involve more people as community activators, leaders and coaches across the sport. 

“Having been involved in a wheelchair basketball coaching role, I know it is a fantastically inclusive environment to develop yourself as a coach and support a range of disabled and non-disabled people into positive physical activity habits.

“If you have thought about supporting community sport as an activator or coach, why not give this a try and use the lockdown period to learn some new skills and get ready to support people to get active when we can. It’s great fun and you don’t have to be a wheelchair basketballer to get involved, everyone is welcome.”

To find out more about the programme or to become a Community Activator, visit www.inspireageneration.com.

Lee Manning collected the joint-highest rebounds and Kyle Marsh was among the weekend’s top-scorers in Spain, while there was double delight for Simon Brown and Ian Sagar as they returned to action in Germany. 

After a disrupted season so far, Brown and Sagar began 2021 by helping RSV Lahn-Dill to two victories in as many days. First-up on Saturday was a clash against Jim Palmer’s Rhine River Rhinos Wiesbaden, with Brown and Sagar scoring four and six points, respectively, to help Lahn-Dill secure a 57:87 victory. Palmer scored five points for Wiesbaden. 

Onto Sunday and Brown and Sagar were back on court this time at home against Hannover United. Brown and Sagar’s scores were reversed from the day before with Brown scoring six points and Sagar four, but the result was the same, a victory for Lahn-Dill to move them four points behind table toppers RSB Thuringia Bulls, who have played a game more. 

The Bulls continued their unbeaten season to date with Helen Freeman scoring six points in RSB Thuringia Bulls’ 73:41 win against BBC Munsterland. 

Peter Cusack scored 13 points and Thomas Smith 10 points as they both made an impact from the bench in Baskets 96 Rahden’s win over RBB Munchen Iguanas (51:90).  

In Spain, Kyle Marsh posted game-high totals for points and assists, while Lee Manning collected the joint-highest rebounds in the Division de Honor as BSR Amiab Albacete beat Abdi Jama’s Amivel 49:75 to move up to second in the table. 

Marsh’s points tally of 26 was the second highest of the weekend in Spain as he led the scoring in Albacete’s victory, along with 10 assists. Manning topped the game’s total rebounds with 18, including being instrumental at the heart of Albacete’s defence, with 16 defensive rebounds. 

Gaz Choudhry recorded 14 points and seven assists, Ben Fox added 11 points and Harry Brown seven with the GB five amounting for 67 of Albacete’s 75 points. Abdi Jama scored a three-pointer in his 13 points for Amivel. 

Next-up for Albacete is a game against Mideba Extremadura, who are one point behind Albacete but have played a game less. Phil Pratt continued his record of having one of the best assist averages in the league, with a game-high 17 assists as Mideba beat Fundacion Aliados 72-50 on Saturday. 

Pratt scored four points towards Mideba’s total with George Bates and Billy Bridge scoring 14 and 10 points, respectively, to begin 2021 with a win. 

There was no such joy for Terry Bywater and Gregg Warburton as CD Ilunion lost 87:57 against league leaders Bidaideak Bilbao BSR. Bywater scored nine points – including a three-pointer – and recorded seven assists. 

Will Bonner and Lee Fryer were both part of the Servigest Burgos side which beat Iberconsa Amfiv 71:61; a game which included three of the 2017 Men’s U23 World Championships winning team. Lewis Edwards scored 14 points for Amfiv, with Sam Mack also in action for the Vigo-based club. 

James MacSorley’s BSR ACE Gran Canaria were comfortable victors, ending a successful week with a 16:93 victory over Getafe BSR. 

Most Points (GB Players) 

26 – Kyle Marsh (Albacete; Spain) 

14 – George Bates (Mideba; Spain); Gaz Choudhry (Albacete; Spain); Lewis Edwards (Amfiv; Spain) 

13 – Peter Cusack (Rahden; Germany); Abdi Jama (Amivel; Spain) 

Most Assists (GB Players) 

17 – Phil Pratt (Mideba; Spain) 

10 – Kyle Marsh (Albacete; Spain) 

7 – Terry Bywater (Ilunion; Spain); Gaz Choudhry (Albacete; Spain) 

Most Rebounds (GB Players) 

18 – Lee Manning (Albacete; Spain) 

7 – Phil Pratt (Mideba; Spain) 

6 – George Bates (Mideba; Spain) ; Will Bonner (Burgos; Spain); Ben Fox (Albacete; Spain)

Simon Brown and Ian Sagar return to competitive action with a double header in Germany this weekend, while there’s a full set of games in Spain during a big weekend for GB athletes.

Here’s the games to watch in Spain and Germany featuring GB players:

Spain (UK Times listed) – http://bsr.feddf.es/

Mideba Extremadura v Fundacion Aliados   (16:00 – 23 January)	George Bates Billy Bridge Phil Pratt
Servigest Burgos v Iberconsa Amfiv   (16:15 – 23 January)	Will Bonner (Burgos) Lee Fryer (Burgos)   Lewis Edwards (Amfiv) Sam Mack (Amfiv)
Getafe BSR v BSR ACE Gran Canaria   (16:30 – 23 January)	James MacSorley
Amivel v BSR Amiab Albacete (17:00 – 23 January)	Abdi Jama (Amivel)   Harry Brown (Albacete) Gaz Choudhry (Albacete) Ben Fox (Albacete) Lee Manning (Albacete) Kyle Marsh (Albacete)
Bidaideak Bilbao BSR v CD Ilunion (17:30 – 23 January)	Terry Bywater Gregg Warburton

Germany (UK Times listed) – https://www.rbbl.de/de/rbbl1/

RBB München Iguanas v Baskets 96 Rahden (15:30 – 23 January)	Peter Cusack Thomas Smith Jake Robinson
Rhine River Rhinos Wiesbaden v RSV Lahn-Dill (16:00 – 23 January)	Simon Brown (Lahn-Dill) Ian Sagar (Lahn-Dill) Jim Palmer (Wiesbaden)
RSB Thuringia Bulls v BBC Münsterland (17:00 – 23 January)	Helen Freeman
RSV Lahn-Dill v Hannover United (15:00 – 24 January)	Simon Brown Ian Sagar

Italy – https://www.federipic.it/

2018 World champion Martin Edwards was due to start his season for Bergamo in Italy’s Serie A this weekend, but, unfortunately, due to current restrictions he’s unable to travel and is continuing to train in the UK (in line with current Government guidance for elite sport) until he’s able to re-join his new teammates in Italy. 

The top divisions in Spain and Germany return this weekend after a break over the festive period, with plenty of British interest at the top of the league tables. 

Despite a reduced fixture list for the opening gameweek of 2021, there are still 13 GB athletes expected to be in action, including two British head-to-heads. 

Here are the games to look out for featuring GB players: 

Spain 

Amivel v Servigest Burgos (17:00, UK Time – 16 January)	Abdi Jama (Amivel)  William Bonner (Burgos) Lee Fryer (Burgos)
Fundacion Aliados v BSR Amiab Albacete  (17:00, UK Time – 16 January)	Harry Brown Gaz Choudhry Ben Fox Lee Manning Kyle Marsh

Germany  

ING Skywheelers v RSB Thuringia Bulls  (17:00, UK Time – 16 January)	Helen Freeman
Baskets 96 Rahden v Rhine River Rhinos Wiesbaden  (17:00, UK Time – 16 January)	Peter Cusack (Rahden) Thomas Smith (Rahden) Jake Robinson (Rahden)  Jim Palmer (Wiesbaden)

League tables can be viewed on the respective league websites:  

Spain – Division de Honor 

Germany – RBBL1 

British Wheelchair Basketball’s Virtual Club, Powered by Kukri, is back and it’s free and open to anyone to join – returning tomorrow (Saturday 16^th January) at 11am.

Allowing you to add a fun and inclusive wheelchair basketball club session back to your weekends during lockdown, the Virtual Club sessions will take place every Saturday morning at 11am with a live online coaching session led by a BWB-licensed wheelchair basketball coach.

Hosted on Zoom, anyone can sign-up free of charge and join the session from their own home, so let your family and friends know they can join too! This is a great way to stay connected, develop new skills and, most importantly, have fun!

To join the session, all you need to do is sign-up to the session on the BWB Membership Portal (Playwaze) or via the session links on the BWB Virtual Club page on the BWB website.

If you’re having any issues signing up, please email s.strickson@britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk

Launched during the previous lockdown, the Virtual Club sessions are a fun and inclusive way to keep active and to continue to develop your skills within a home environment, with limited space and limited equipment. No previous wheelchair basketball experience is needed.

The first session of the new series begins tomorrow at 11am, led by Paralympian and Cheshire Phoenix Wheelchair Basketball Club Head Coach Anna Jackson. Upcoming sessions will be led by two-time Paralympian Caroline Matthews MBE and 2012 Paralympian Matt Sealy.

Get involved and add the following dates to your calendars!

Saturday 16^th January, 11am – with Anna Jackson

Saturday 23^rd January, 11am – with Matt Sealy

Saturday 30^th January, 11am – with Caroline Matthews MBE

Saturday 6^th February, 11am – with Matt Sealy

Saturday 13^th February, 11am – with Caroline Matthews MBE