Adam Bailey

GB internationals to return to competitive action as Spanish League starts

October 17, 2019 by Adam Bailey

Eleven of the 12 GB men who claimed historic gold at last month’s European Championships will be back in action this weekend as they begin their club seasons on the continent.

With Tokyo 2020 less than 12 months away, it’s going to be a busy, but an exciting year for the British players, with many of the GB men playing for teams in Europe, the majority in Spain.

Commenting ahead of his season opener for CD Ilunion, Terry Bywater is looking forward to returning to competitive action, six weeks after claiming his fourth gold medal at a European Championships:

“Winning the Europeans was amazing after our success at the World Championships – to be world and European champions is an incredible feeling but now it’s time to focus on my club season.

“It’s been a busy few weeks; lots of pre-season friendlies and travel with only 10 days’ rest, but now my goal is to win the league, the cup and Champions Cup and then gold in Tokyo.”

Staying in Spain, there will be a very British feel when Mideba Extremadura start their season against Bidaideak Bilbao on Saturday with GB internationals Ben Fox, George Bates, Abdi Jama, Phil Pratt and Greg Warburton all representing the Badajoz-based team.

Four British players will be playing for BSR Amiab Albacete this season with Kyle Marsh, Gaz Choudhry, Harry Brown and Lee Manning beginning their league campaign against CB Las Rozas.

2018 world champion James MacSorley starts his season against two other British players with his Gran Canaria side facing an opening day fixture against Iberconsa Amfiv, featuring GB’s Lewis Edwards and Sam Mack.

Thomas Smith’s Rincon Dental Amivel begin their season against Fundacion Grupo Norte.

Simon Brown and Jim Palmer’s league campaign is already well underway with the German League beginning last month.

Brown has scored 17 points in four games for RSV Lahn-Dill, who remain unbeaten in the German League this season, totalling 12 assists and eight rebounds.

Commenting on his start to the season, Brown said: “We’ve had a great start to the season with tough tests against Hannover and Rahden. Training has been a lot of fun pushing myself to the limit against some of the best players in the game.”

Palmer has scored 20 points so far this season – including a three-pointer just 10 seconds into Rhine River Rhinos Wiesbaden’s win over RBB Munchen Iguanas – with five assists and 10 rebounds.

Ian Sagar and Martin Edwards have got a few more weeks until the Italian League starts on 9 November – no doubt a welcome few weeks extra for Ian who recently became a father to William Sagar!

Complete fixture list, featuring GB players:

Germany

RBB Iguanas Munchen v RSV Lahn-Dill	Simon Brown
Rhine River Rhinos Wiesbaden v RSB Thuringa Bulls	Jim Palmer

Spain

Mideba v Bidaideak Bilbao	Ben Fox George Bates Abdi Jama Phil Pratt Greg Warburton
CB Las Rozas FDI v BSR Amiab Albacete	Kyle Marsh Gaz Choudhry Harry Brown Lee Manning
Iberconsa Amfiv v BSR Gran Canaria	James MacSorley (Gran Canaria) Lewis Edwards (Amfiv) Sam Mack (Amfiv)
Fundacion Vital Zuzenak v CD Ilunion	Terry Bywater
Rincon Dental Amivel v Fundacion Grupo Norte	Thomas Smith

GB internationals begin club season in Germany

October 2, 2019 by Adam Bailey

GB internationals Simon Brown and Jim Palmer began their 2019/20 club seasons in Germany over the weekend, with mixed fortunes for the 2018 World Championships winning pair.

Less than a month after being part of the GB team which secured European gold, Brown was back on court, helping RSV Lahn-Dill to an opening weekend victory in the top division in Germany.

The 33-year-old was solid in defence and attack, scoring four points, including two out of two free throws, as RSV Lahn-Dill started with an 83-61 win over Hannover United.

There was no such joy for Palmer as his Rhine River Rhinos Wiesbaden side suffered a narrow defeat away at Baskets 96 Rahden.

The 22-year-old scored two points and collected two rebounds, but that wasn’t enough to stop the hosts winning 72-60.

The opening game of the season marked the start of a busy week for the GB pair, with back-to-back league games this Thursday (3 October) and Saturday (5 October).

Brown’s RSV Lahn-Dill host BG Baskets Hamburg on Thursday and travel to Baskets 96 Rahden on Saturday.

Palmer’s Rhine River Rhinos Wiesbaden play Doneck Dolphins Trier at home, before travelling to RBB Iguanas Munich, two days later.

The majority of the GB men’s squad have still got a couple more weeks until their club seasons start, with the Spanish League beginning on 19 October and the Italian League on 9 November.

Find out which team each GB player is representing this season by visiting their profile page.

Information on the European Leagues featuring GB players can be found below:

Spanish League

German League

Italian League

GB Men’s Head Coach recognised at Asian Achievers Awards

September 26, 2019 by Adam Bailey

As the Great Britain men’s wheelchair basketball team celebrated another European title earlier this month, there was more reason to celebrate for Head Coach Haj Bhania OBE, whose dedication, influence and achievements within the sport were once again recognised.

The GB Head Coach was named Sports Personality of the Year at the 19^th annual Asian Achievers Awards, which recognises the outstanding work of individuals from across all businesses and professions.

With the awards ceremony taking place at the same time as the Men’s European Championships in Poland, Haj’s sister Raj collected the award at the ceremony on his behalf.

The latest accolade continues a year of deserved recognition for Haj, who received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June; two months after being named Coach of the Year at the Sporting Equals British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards in April.

Commenting on his latest award, the GB Men’s Head Coach thanked those who have supported him, including the GB team:

“I’m surprised and very pleased to have been nominated for and be awarded the Asian Achievers SPoTY Award.

“As always, these are not achieved without the great support I receive from British Wheelchair Basketball and family. My thanks in particular go to the great athletes I am fortunate to be working with and their support and their achievements.

“Thank you to the Asian Achievers Awards panel and organisation for their nomination and support.”