Bethan Fagan

Photo credit: Rika Vandenbroucke

Competing against five other nations – Australia, Canada, Italy, The Netherlands and Türkiye – the GB Men’s team won all four of their games including the final against Australia.

The Easter Tournament was the first competition for Bill Johnson and Joey Johnson as the GB Men’s coaching team, having been appointed at the start of April.

All GB Men’s players had court time across the tournament – a crucial development opportunity ahead of the back-to-back majors later this year. Performances across the three-day competition highlighted the quality and strength of the depth within the squad.

In their first game, GB Men won 46:61 against The Netherlands. In their second game, GB Men won 72:41 against Canada. In their third game, GB Men won 52:70 over Türkiye. On the final day of the competition, GB Men won 58:43 against a strong Australia side.

Coach Joey Johnson commented:

“The weekend was a great success for us. We had an opportunity to see multiple lineups while also having a chance to 14 deep. The win is a testament to the depth of the programme as well as the skill level.”

Coach Bill Johnson commented:

“It was a great first step for this group as we enter a busy summer of competition. The players were focused and prepared, and the results showed that.”

Catch up on the action from the Easter Tournament here with both livestreams and stats: https://iwbf.org/event/2023-easter-tournament-wheelchair-basketball/

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 (6^th at London 2012, 5^th 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 7^th-9^th 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

In Spain, Bidaideak Bilbao (James MacSorley) won 57:75 over hosts Econy Gran Canaria. James MacSorley had 4 points and 3 rebounds.

Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Kyle Marsh, Lewis Edwards, Peter Cusack) won 54:52 in a close game against visitors Amiab Albacete (Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Lee Manning, Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt). For Amivel Reyes Gutierrez, Kyle Marsh had 6 points, 1 assist and 1 rebound. For Amiab Albacete, Harry Brown had 2 points, 1 assist and 1 rebound. Ben Fox had 6 points, 1 assist and 2 rebounds. Lee Manning was game leader on rebounds with 13 rebounds, and had 12 points and 1 assist. Phil Pratt was game leader on assists with 12 assists, and had 6 points and 2 rebounds.

CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater) won 76:66 over UCAM Murcia (Lee Fryer). For CD Ilunion, Gregg Warburton was team leader on assists with 6 assists, and had 17 points and 3 rebounds. Terry Bywater was team leader on points with 19 points, and had 6 assists and 3 rebounds. For UCAM Murcia, Lee Fryer was game leader on assists with 8 assists, and had 15 points and 9 rebounds.

In Germany, RSV Lahn-Dill (Gaz Choudhry, Simon Brown) won 58:61 on the road against Hannover United. Gaz Choudhry 2 points and 3 rebounds. Simon Brown had 1 point and 2 rebounds.

Rhine River Rhinos (Jim Palmer) were defeated 50:77 by league leaders RSB Thuringia Bulls. Jim Palmer had 4 points.

At home in the BWB National League Premier Division, CWBA (Kayla Bell) won 55:36 at home against visitors The Bears. For CWBA, Kayla Bell had 4 rebounds.

In the BWB Women’s Premier League, Worcester Wolves (Kayla Bell, Niamh Horan) claimed their first win of the season as they defeated visitors Cardiff Met Archers (Jade Atkin) 43:39.

For Worcester Wolves, Kayla Bell had 7 points and 3 rebounds. Niamh Horan had 12 points and 9 rebounds. For Cardiff Met Archers, Jade Atkin had 20 points and 9 rebounds.

EuroCup 2023: https://www.iwbf-europe.org/

Spanish League: http://bsr.feddf.es/

German League: https://rollstuhlbasketball.de/

BWB National League: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/national-league/

BWB Women’s Premier League: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/womens-premier-league-2022-23/