Bethan Fagan

With the excitement of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games just around the corner, navigating this busy city can require some careful planning. Use these top tips to help you make the most of your trip and aim to make your experience smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Download the Paris 2024 transport app
This is an app brought to you by the Paralympics local organising committee that will help you access the transport options around the city. You can also read the Paris 2024 website’s guide here (Paris 2024 Public Transport)

Always have a backup plan
Be prepared to change your plans if a lift or bus ramp are out of service. To do this, make note of alternative ways of getting to and from your venue  to ensure you can adapt quickly should any issues arise.

Factor in additional time for travel
The city is bustling with excited crowds to watch the Games. Expect busy public transport and queues around every venue and sightseeing spots, so give yourself additional time to compensate for this.

Keep your phone or device charged
This is essential for making sure you can access your game tickets and travel information. All fixture tickets are digital only via the official Paris 2024 app. As an extra precaution, ensure that you have the ticketing information stored from your emails on your device in case of any issues accessing the app on the day. (Paris 2024 Ticketing FAQs)

Be prepared for separate accessible entrances
Get familiar with the arena ahead of tip off time, as they may have a separate venue entrance designed for people with accessibility requirements. Every venue has plenty of volunteers helping guide people to their destination, so make sure to say hello if you need some directions or assistance.

Take snacks and water with you
There may be long queues to enter the venue given the size of the arena and the vast crowds expected each day, so be prepared for a waiting period by bringing some food and drink with you whilst you wait. Some of this waiting may be outside of the venue, so top up the suncream too!

Look after yourself and your possessions
Petty crime and scams unfortunately are a part of every major city in the world. Read the gov.uk website for their advice on how to look after yourself and your possessions. (Travel advice for Paris 2024)

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Watching from home? We’ll be covering all the action across our social media channels, so make sure to follow us to keep up to date with the GB squads.

Channel4 are delivering the broadcast in the UK –find out more: https://paralympics.org.uk/articles/where-to-watch-the-paris-2024-paralympic-games

Limited game tickets are still available – head to the Paris 2024 website to find out more: https://tickets.paris2024.org/en/search/?affiliate=24D&categories=Paralympic+Games%7CWheelchair+Basketball

View the full wheelchair basketball schedule here: https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-games/schedule/wheelchair-basketball

Meet the Paris 2024 GB squads: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/2024/07/paralympicsgb-announces-wheelchair-basketball-squads-for-paris-2024/

_{Image: Unsplash + Getty Images}

Jan Timms has been selected as Games Commissioner (GC) for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games wheelchair basketball competition, which takes place from 28 August to 8 September.

Hailing from Sheffield, Jan is a stalwart of the sport having dedicated countless hours to the game as an Official.

Regularly seen behind the table in the British Wheelchair Basketball National League, Jan has frequent appearances on the international stage too having previously been selected for EuroCup, World, and European championships.

A GC is a varied role that evolves throughout the course of a competition, particularly at the Paralympic Games. Prior to games getting underway, the GCs oversee safety checks on chairs and the venue, meet with the wider officiating team (Technical Delegate (TD), Tournament Technical Commission (TTC), Referees and supervisors and the National Technical Officials (NTOs), and deliver informative material to ensure the competition runs smoothly which also helps develop International Technical Officials (ITOs) skills.

When competition gets underway, GCs work with the table officials and support the referees when needed. Post-game, they’ll be assisting the TDs to ensure all protocol is followed.

Jan commented on her selection for Paris 2024:

“It’s a great honour to be recognised and selected as one of four Game Commissioners (GCs) for Paris 2024. I’ve also been asked to deliver the welcome session to the National Technical Officials (NTOs) and explain how the GC works with them and how both the Nation and International Technical Officials (ITOs) are all part of one team! I’m sure the additional responsibility is because my first language is English (Yorkshire), but it’s an honour nonetheless.

“As a GC, if the game runs well, then we have the best seat in the house to watch our beautiful game. If there are issues, then we may have to step up and resolve them as quickly and efficiently as possible so as not to delay the game.

“Paris 2024 will be my third Paralympics. London 2012 was my first as an NTO. Tokyo was my second, however it was my first as an ITO – it was a very different atmosphere due to the pandemic but the competition on the floor was still fierce. I’m looking forward to Paris to feel that energy and emotion from all the teams (including the ITO and NTO teams), and spectators again.

“It’s great to meet up with International friends and to be representing British Wheelchair Basketball  and IWBF Europe alongside David Kingstone (GBR) who is a member of the TTC, and Steph Gagne (GBR) representing IWBF World coordinating the media from IWBF.”

Jan will also be joining her brother in Paris for their second Paralympic Games together, who will be an ITO for wheelchair rugby. Their first Games together was London 2012.

Read the full announcement from IWBF here: https://iwbf.org/2024/07/11/international-technical-officials-for-wheelchair-basketball-competition-at-paris-2024-paralympic-games/

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The schedule for the Paris 2024 wheelchair basketball competition can be found here: https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-games/schedule/wheelchair-basketball

We’ll be covering all the action across our channels – make sure you’re following our channels to follow GB’s journey!  

In just over two weeks, the School Games National Finals 2024 will get underway at Loughborough University with an exciting field of talented young athletes competing for their regions.

The event officially begins on Thursday 29^th August with an inspiring opening ceremony. The wheelchair basketball competition will be played in the 3×3 format Friday 30^th to Sunday 1^st September, played alongside the running game fixtures.

The event is delivered by Youth Sport Trust, funded by Sport England National Lottery Funding together with backing from the home nation sports councils and UK Sport, and endorsed by ParalympicsGB.

The Games are a highlight of the calendar for many, providing a fun and competitive environment for those taking part. Several of the GB Squad members heading to Paris this summer competed in a School Games Finals, such as Joy Haizelden, Jim Palmer, Charlotte Moore, Lee Fryer and Pete Cusack!

England Boys Green
Bradley Thompson
Jamie Bamford
Joshua Prickett
Landen Brett
Oliver Wightman

England Boys Orange
Finlay Dowdeswell
Ollie Porter
Samuel Appleton
Sean Chigumba
Wyatt Millward

England Boys Purple
Giles Smith
Henley Cavanagh
Kamari Parker
Kobi Bates
Rohan Olsen

England Girls Green
Athena Millward
Brooke Hodgson
Lila Davis
Lillie Hickman
Nakita Wright

England Girls Orange
Chloe Fiveash
Elana Brand
Hayley Cassin
Millie Riley
Sydney Byfield

ENG SCO Girls
Amy Smith
Holly Welsh
Lea Smith
Nancy Jubb

Northern Celtic Boys
Charlie Mailer
Ethan Pollock
Jack Bissett
Owen Shannon
Ronan Duffy

Scotland Boys
Ben Flangan
Charlie Redmond
Finlay Erskine
Josh Kitchen
Shayne Humpries

Wales Boys
Corey Cox
Kai Hamilton
Frisby Mason
Pendergast Steffan
Williams Zahry Sharjoon

A huge congratulations to everyone selected, and best of luck to all athletes, coaches and team staff from everyone here at British Wheelchair Basketball!

Tickets are available via the School Games Finals website: https://www.schoolgamesfinals.org/

Livestream available via Youth Sports Trust’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YouthSportTrust

With just one month to go until the much-anticipated Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, British Wheelchair Basketball has launched its comprehensive marketing and communications ‘Club Toolkit’.

Download Club Toolkit here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/paris-2024-paralympic-games-toolkit/

The toolkit has been designed to empower grassroots clubs across the UK to capitalise on the excitement and visibility of the Paralympic Games, to attract new members and promote the inclusivity of wheelchair basketball.

Packed with valuable resources, the toolkits include editable and downloadable templates for social media graphics to help promote club activities, tips on how clubs can engage with local media to boost visibility, and a milestone calendar to assist with planning.

British Wheelchair Basketball will also be collaborating with a group of ambassadors to enhance the overall visibility of the sport at a time where the spotlight on wheelchair basketball is brighter than ever. Launching soon, the ambassador programme will see current and retired players for Great Britain attend community club events and promote social media campaigns in the run-up to and during the Games.

The launch of this new initiative comes as the excitement for Paris continues to build. Last month, British Wheelchair Basketball and ParalympicsGB announced the 24 athletes selected to represent Great Britian in Paris next month, with the wheelchair basketball competition taking place over all 11 days of the Paralympic Games.

British Wheelchair Basketball CEO, Justine Baines, urges clubs to capitalise on the impact that the Paralympic Games can bring to the sport, commenting: “The Paralympic Games offers an unparalleled opportunity to spotlight our incredible sport and attract new members to our clubs. This is a moment for grassroots clubs to open their doors wide and welcome everyone who wants to experience the thrill of wheelchair basketball. 

“The beauty of our sport is that at grassroots level, anyone can play, irrespective of whether they have a disability or not and that is something we should be celebrating and promoting. This toolkit is designed to equip clubs with the resources they need to maximise this opportunity and inspire a new wave of players and supporters.

“It is well known that so many of the people within our sport, including those set to represent in Paris, first saw wheelchair basketball during a Paralympic Games. This is why we are encouraging that clubs make the most of the attention that Paris 2024 will bring to us, and be ready to welcome the people who want to give our wonderful sport a go!” 

British Wheelchair Basketball invites all grassroots clubs to take full advantage of the toolkit which can be downloaded here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/paris-2024-paralympic-games-toolkit/

We’re also encouraging clubs to let us know what activities they have planned over the Games: https://forms.office.com/e/pGdDzPbdYm

Follow the Paris 2024 action with us this summer as both GB Men and GB Women aim to make history at the Games. We’ll be covering all the biggest moments on our channels, including social media and our website. 

BWB Social Media

Instagram: British Wheelchair Basketball (@britwheelbball) • Instagram photos and videos

TikTok: BritWheelBBall (@britishwheelchairbball) | TikTok

Facebook: (20+) Facebook

X: @BritWheelBball

British Wheelchair Basketball is delighted to welcome Andy Wright to the board as Independent Non Executive Director (Commercial) from August 2024 onward.

Andy has vast experience working with businesses renowned for their partnerships with charities and sports organisations, and will bring to the board a strong understanding of what potential partners are looking for from BWB.

On his appointment, Andy commented:
“I am incredibly proud and excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the success of BWB both on and off the court by continuing to develop the BWB proposition and making BWB even more attractive to potential partners.”

Chair of the board Jules Parke-Robinson commented:
“I’m thrilled to welcome Andy to the board of British Wheelchair Basketball. As we grow our community and increase awareness and understanding of wheelchair basketball, we must seek and engage a wide range of partners. Andy’s wealth of commercial experience, creative ideas and boundless energy will be a huge asset to our board as we create a sustainable future for our sport.”

Find out more about the board here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/about/who-we-are/board/

With less than 50 days to go until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games get underway, ParalympicsGB can announce the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball squads.

Across both teams, five debutants are set to make their first ever appearance in a Paralympic Games. On the men’s team, Lee Fryer and Peter Cusack join the ranks of seasoned athletes including 2018 World Champions Lee Manning, Simon Brown, Harry Brown, Phil Pratt, Gregg Warburton, Abdi Jama, Jim Palmer and Terry Bywater. 2023 European Gold medallists Kyle Marsh and Ben Fox complete the squad.

Middlesbrough born Bywater, set to compete in his seventh Paralympic Games, commented on his selection: “It feels absolutely amazing to be going to my seventh Paralympic Games – it’s a dream come true for anybody to make it to one Games, never mind seven. My number on the back of my shirt is seven so that’s pretty crazy! It’s a very proud moment for me and my family.

“From now until Paris the team will be enjoying the journey. We’re going to be focused, we’re going to be prepared, we’re going to be united, we’re going to give it absolutely everything across these next two months to arrive in the best form possible. We believe that we are the best team in the world, and we’ll be hoping to take that gold medal.”

Making their debut for ParalympicsGB’s women’s team are 2023 European Silver medallists Jade Atkin and Maddie Martin, and newcomer Jodie Waite. Leading from the front are 2018 World Championship silver medallists Robyn Love, Sophie Carrigill, Charlotte Moore, Laurie Williams, Joy Haizelden, Amy Conroy and Helen Freeman. Freeman’s selection makes this her fifth Games, having debuted at Beijing 2008. Rio 2016 Paralympian Katie Morrow and Tokyo 2020 debutant Lucy Robinson complete the line-up.

Representing Scotland, Robyn Love commented: “I am immensely proud to be representing ParalympicsGB at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games –  I really do think any opportunity to put on that GB vest is just one that I am truly grateful for.

“London 2012 was the first time I ever saw disability sport and here I am entering my third Paralympic Games! It’s a dream come true, and to get to do it at a Games so close to home and in a European time zone with my daughter, my family and my friends supporting me is just going to be incredible.

“In terms of preparation, we are fine-tuning, focusing on us. We know the schedule, we know the groups, so just fine-tuning the details – and I am getting used to a new chair at the same time! Getting the details dialled in throughout our preparations… no doubt in my mind, we are ready for it.”

ParalympicsGB men look to claim an elusive gold medal, having previously won five bronze and three silver, while the women’s squad are headed to the Games with their sights on making history by obtaining their first ever Paralympic medal.

Penny Briscoe OBE, Chef de Mission at ParalympicsGB for Paris 2024, commented:

“Both squads boast an impressive blend of seasoned Paralympic Games veterans and exciting debutants. Many of the men’s and women’s players have already made a significant impact on the World and European stages in recent years. Now, both squads are looking to make their own history in Paris.

“The skill, speed, and excitement of this sport are set to captivate audiences across the globe, and we can’t wait to see them in action this summer.”

Wheelchair basketball will take place on all 11 days of competition in the Bercy Arena.

A total of around 220 athletes from 19 sports are expected to make up the British team that will compete in Paris, with further names to be announced by ParalympicsGB in the coming weeks. At Tokyo 2020 ParalympicsGB won medals across a record breaking 18 different sports – the highest number of any nation ever. ParalympicsGB finished second on the medal table with 124 medals overall, including 41 gold, 38 silver and 45 bronze.

Diccon Edwards, Performance Director at British Wheelchair Basketball and Team Leader for wheelchair basketball at Paris 2024, commented: ”I am excited we have such talented squads to represent ParalympicsGB in Paris. It was incredibly hard to make the selections given the quality and depth across both squads and now the selected players have the opportunity to achieve something special for the whole group and inspire the next generation of wheelchair basketball players.

“We are fortunate to have a core of senior players across both squads who have experience of the Paralympic Games and are supporting new players in preparing for what will be a very special event. We have learnt a lot over the last 12 months from the Worlds and Europeans in 2023, and are fully focused on applying what we have learnt to deliver our best performances yet in Paris.”

GB Men
Name – Hometown – Current Club – Classification
Abdi Jama – Liverpool – Amivel Reyes Gutierrez – 1.0
Jim Palmer – Chelmsford – Rhine River Rhinos – 1.0
Simon Brown – Kingsbury – Amiab Albacete – 2.0
Kyle Marsh – Wolverhampton – Amivel Reyes Gutierrez – 2.0
Greg Warburton – Leigh – CD Ilunion – 2.0
Harry Brown – Halifax – Amiab Albacete – 2.5
Phil Pratt – Cardiff – Amiab Albacete – 3.0
Ben Fox – Swindon – Amiab Albacete – 3.5
Peter Cusack – Coventry – UCAM Murcia – 3.5
Lee Fryer – Wakefield – UCAM Murcia – 4.0
Lee Manning – Peterborough – Amiab Albacete – 4.5
Terry Bywater – Middlesbrough – CD Ilunion – 4.5

GB Women
Name – Hometown – Current Club – Classification
Sophie Carrigill – Wakefield – Briantea 84 Cantù – 1.0
Charlotte Moore – Coventry – Amiab Albacete – 1.0
Jodie Waite – Limerick – East London Phoenix – 1.0
Joy Haizelden – Southampton – University of Alabama – 2.5
Laurie Williams – Greater Manchester – Loughborough Lightning – 2.5
Maddie Martin – Portsmouth – Loughborough Lightning / Reading Rockets – 3.0
Robyn Love – Ayr – Loughborough Lightning – 3.5
Amy Conroy – Norwich – East London Phoenix – 4.0
Helen Freeman – Watford – Servigest Burgos – 4.0
Jade Atkin – Porstmouth – Cardiff Met Archers – 4.0
Lucy Robinson – Leicestershire – Jaguars / Loughborough Lightning – 4.5
Katie Morrow – Antrim –Cardiff Met Archers – 4.5

GB Men U23 have won the IWBF European Championships, having defeated every team they encountered in the competition.

In the pool group, GB Men U23 began their campaign with a 23:95 win over Poland and a 59:45 win over Germany. On day two, GB won 104:27 against Spain and won 65:72 in a heated game against Türkiye that went into overtime. On day three, GB won 35:84 over Israel, and in their final game of the pool group won 63:67 in a close game against Italy.

In an exciting semi-final, GB Men U23 claimed their spot in the final by defeating Italy 68:48.

In the gold medal game, GB took the win 60:40 over Germany in a thrilling rematch for the two young sides.

Jack Long was named in the All-Star Five for the competition for his efforts on court.

Through their success in this competition, GB Men U23 have secured their place in the IWBF U23 World Championships 2025 at a location yet to be determined.

A huge congratulations to the team from everyone at British Wheelchair Basketball!

Image: IWBF Livestream

The schedule for wheelchair basketball at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games has been announced. Fan’s won’t have to wait long as both GB squad will be in action on the opening day of the competition in the first two fixtures of the pool stages.

In the pool groups, GB Men play Canada, Germany, and hosts France. GB Women play China, Canada, and Spain.

Read more about the schedule on the IWBF website here: https://iwbf.org/2024/06/20/competition-schedule-for-wheelchair-basketball-at-paris-2024-paralympic-games-revealed/

Ticketing information can be found on the Paris 2024 website: https://tickets.paris2024.org/en/search/?affiliate=24D&categories=Paralympic+Games%7CWheelchair+Basketball