Bethan Fagan

Clare Griffiths and Joe Bestwick join the British Wheelchair Basketball Board

British Wheelchair Basketball are delighted to announce the appointment of Clare Griffiths and Joe Bestwick to the board, effective from 18th September 2023.

Over the coming months throughout their first tenure, Griffiths and Bestwick will provide crucial first-hand experience in an advisory role to the Board, bringing their sport-specific expertise as retired Paralympians to the table.

Clare Griffiths is an established wheelchair basketball player with an extensive playing career, having proudly represented GB Women for 18 years and competed at an incredible five Paralympic Games. In her time with GB Women, she claimed seven Bronze medals at the European Championships and competed at four World Championships. Outside of sport, Clare has built a career in Management Consultancy, Inspirational Speaking and Experiential Learning.

Joe Bestwick is a seasoned wheelchair basketball player, having had an international career spanning 18 years. He achieved Bronze, Silver and Gold at the European Championships with GB Men, and was part of the squad that claimed Bronze at Beijing 2008. Joe now works full time at the University of Nottingham as Wheelchair Basketball Club Development Officer and Head Coach, responsible for developing the wheelchair basketball offer at UoN.

Chair of the board Jules Parke-Robinson commented:

“We’re delighted to welcome Clare and Joe to the board of British Wheelchair Basketball. Both athletes bring a wide range of skills to our board, as well as a wealth of knowledge and experience of the sport, helping us to better serve the community we represent.”

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

GB athletes prepare for their 2023/24 seasons!

Find out where the GB senior athletes are playing this season coming as we take a look at club movements!

In Spain, an exciting BSR División de Honor season awaits as the clubs enter their final days of preparations. Simon Brown has made the move from German league club RSV Lahn-Dill to BSR club Amiab Albacete, where he joins GB teammates Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Lee Manning, Charlotte Moore and Phil Pratt. Defending champions Amiab Albacete appeared unstoppable last season, winning the league in dominant fashion and claiming the EuroCup Champions Cup too.

Peter Cusack signed for UCAM Murcia, joining GB Men’s teammate Lee Fryer and concluding his time at Amivel Reyes Gutierrez. Also departing the club is Lewis Edwards who has signed for Iberconsa Amfiv. Abdi Jama and Kyle Marsh continue to play for the Málaga based team.

Helen Freeman’s club Servigest Burgos head into the División de Honor following promotion at the end of last season.

Terry Bywater and Greg Warburton remain with CD Ilunion. James MacSorley continues with defending Copa del Rey champions Bidaideak Bilbao.

Departing Manchester Revolution, Sophie Carrigill heads back to the Italian FIPIC league to play for Briantea84 Cantù who compete in the top tier of the league. Over in Germany, Jim Palmer continues to build with the Rhine River Rhinos.

Joy Haizelden rejoins the University of Alabama for another season alongside her studies, defending champions of the USA collegiate league.

At home in the BWB National League Premier Division, Gaz Choudhry joins Jack Perry and Jude Hamer at London Titans, and Tyler Baines moves across to defending champions Manchester Revolution, joining Martin Edwards. Kayla Bell continues with CWBA. Further north, Maddie Thompson stays with Sheffield Steelers.

The BWB Women’s Premier League takes place later this year, where several GB Women’s athletes are set to compete – we’ll be covering any club movements!


Spanish league: http://bsr.feddf.es/ 

German league: https://rollstuhlbasketball.de/

Italian league: https://www.federipic.it/?fbclid=IwAR0MAvCMjCiGxKzOq_edUCzVqMW0FT2P6Vl953a4LAHPS-aEuzVsdspdvio 

University of Alabama: https://bamaadapted.com/sports/wbball?path=wbball 

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

Photos: BWB / SA Images

Ready for the National League 2023-24 season!

The BWB National League 2023/24 season gets underway this weekend as clubs in the Premier Division and Divisions 1-3 head out onto court for their opening games.

Junior League gets underway in October, with excitement building for the opening weekend of the new season with Round 1 on 14th and 15th October 2023.

A little later in the year, Women’s League gets started with Round 1 on 4th and 5th November 2023 at the University of Worcester Arena.

The conclusion of the National League season will see teams across the Divisions compete at the prestigious National Championship Finals, which will take place at the University of Essex, 18th & 19th May 2024.

Anyone participating in the National League must have a 2023-24 membership – find all the details and member benefits on the Membership page: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/membership/

Best of luck to all teams across the National League for the season ahead!

BWB Calendar: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/bwb-calendar/

Fixtures and results: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/national-league/

Photos: BWB / Ahmedphotos

GB Women U25 World Championships squad announced  

The twelve wheelchair basketball athletes representing U25 GB Women at the upcoming IWBF Women’s U25 World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, have been announced. 

The stacked squad features six players who recently competed for the senior GB Women’s team during their busy summer schedule in the unusual circumstances of having a IWBF World Championships and European Championships in the same year. Jade Atkin, Lucy Robinson and Maddie Martin competed in both majors. Adele Atkin and Ellan Fraser featured for GB Women at Worlds. Anastasia Blease made her senior debut at the European Championships 2023 where the GB Women booked their ticket to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

Throughout the U25 squad, the strength of the BWB Women’s Premier League shines through as all selected players feature on the rosters of all four WPL franchise teams.  

Representing GB U25 is a crucial development opportunity, with several of the current Women’s senior players having worn the vest. Jade Atkin, Adele Atkin, and Lucy Robinson were part of the Junior squad at the 2019 IWBF Women’s U25 World Championships who claimed Bronze.  

Paralympian Katie Morrow was the youngest player on the Rio 2016 GB Women’s squad and brings key experience to the team. 

George Bates, a seasoned wheelchair basketball player and coach having competed for GB Men and coached Loughborough Lightning to back-to-back WPL titles, has been named as Head Coach for the U25 GB Women’s side.  

Name Classification Women’s Premier League 
Adele Atkin 1.0 Cardiff Met Archers 
Niamh Watson 1.0 Cardiff Met Archers 
Jodie Waite 1.0 East London Phoenix 
Kayli English  2.0 Loughborough Lightning 
Ellan Fraser 3.0 Worcester Wolves 
Maddie Martin 3.0 Loughborough Lightning 
Anastasia Blease 3.5 Loughborough Lightning 
Holly Lounds  3.5 Loughborough Lightning 
Alice McHaffie 4.0 East London Phoenix 
Katie Morrow 4.5 Cardiff Met Archers 
Jade Atkin 4.5 Cardiff Met Archers 
Lucy Robinson 4.5 Loughborough Lightning 

The IWBF Women’s U25 World Championships take place October 3rd through to October 9th in Bangkok, Thailand. The competition features ten countries, with GB getting their campaign underway in Pool A against USA, Australia, Spain and China. 

More information: https://iwbf.org/event/2023-womens-u25-world-championship/  

Fixtures: https://hosted.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/IWBF/en/competition/36804/schedule  

National League Update: CWBA withdraw from the Premier Division

CWBA have withdrawn from the Premier Division of the BWB National League with immediate effect ahead of the upcoming 2023/24 season.

British Wheelchair Basketball will continue to work with CWBA. The club’s remaining teams are unaffected by this decision and will compete in their respective leagues this season.

BWB are working to develop a plan for the Premier League that ensures sustainability and growth at the top level of the sport. Further information on fixture scheduling for the 2023/24 season is being communicated with the wider Premier Division.

GB Men win Gold at the 2023 IWBF European Championships

GB Men have won Gold at the 2023 IWBF European Championships, having won every game played at the competition. They secured the result in a heated game against Spain, ending 74:53.

The squad confirmed their place at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games earlier in the tournament by winning a crucial semi-final against Germany.

Gregg Warburton was named in the All-star Five – an amazing moment for GB Men to have a representative named.

Martin Edwards thanked the GB supporters following the game:
“It’s absolutely unbelievable. I’d just like to thank everyone back home and everyone that made the trip out, for the support. They helped us get the gold.

“Onwards and upwards; we keep kicking on and Paris, here we come!”

A huge congratulations goes to the players and staff who achieved Gold. All roads now lead to Paris as the team heads into their preparations for the Paralympic Games, with sights set firmly on making history.

Yesterday, GB Women won Silver in their final against hosts Netherlands – read more: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/2023/08/gb-women-claim-silver-at-the-2023-iwbf-european-championships/

Photo credit: BWB / SA Images

GB Women claim silver at the 2023 IWBF European Championships

Photo credits: BWB / SA Images

Following a thrilling game against hosts Netherlands, GB Women have claimed the silver medal at the 2023 IWBF European Championships.

It’s been a hugely positive competition overall for the GB Women as they delivered some superb results on the court and claimed their ticket to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games following their exciting semi-final victory over Germany.

A huge congratulations to the players and staff who achieved Silver. Paris awaits!

Sophie Carrigill took a moment post-game to thank the GB supporters:
“Honestly the support from everyone back home and the people that have come out here to watch us, who made that journey to come out here and support us, has been phenomenal. This [silver medal] is for you guys! Let’s go GB!”

Joy Haizelden and Robyn Love were named in the prestigious All-star Five of the tournament, a proud moment for GB Women to have two representatives.

GB Men are up for their final tomorrow (19/08), live on the European Para Championships website at 4:30pm BST. Watch the games live on the EPC2023 website: https://www.epc2023.tv/

GB Fanzone: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/fan-zone/iwbf-european-championships-2023/

GB Women

#4 – Charlotte Moore – 1.0

#5 – Sophie Carrigill – 1.0

#6 – Kayla Bell – 1.5

#7 – Helen Freeman – 4.0

#8 – Laurie Williams – 2.5

#10 – Anastasia Blease – 3.5

#12 – Lucy Robinson – 4.5

#13 – Siobhán Fitzpatrick – 3.0

#14 – Joy Haizelden – 2.5

#15 – Robyn Love – 3.5

#16 – Jade Atkin – 4.5

#17 – Maddie Martin – 3.0

GB Men qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

GB Men have qualified for the 2024 Paralympic Games following a gripping display of teamwork and skill against Germany in the semi-finals of the 2023 IWBF European Championships, winning 63:42. They now head into the final of the European Para Championships 2023, held in Rotterdam, with their sights set firmly on gold.

Gregg Warburton commented:
“It feels good to know we have a guaranteed spot at Paris. There was a lot on the line today and it was really difficult. [Germany] are a hell of a team with some superb world class players.

“Another tick on the list, done. Another job done. But we’re not satisfied, we’re not happy with that, we’re gonna go again. Obviously we wanted to qualify for Paris but our plan was to come here and win gold. We’re not settling for second best or anything less and we’re ready to go on Saturday!”

Photo credit: BWB / SA Images

Coach Bill Johnson commented:
“We had a two-part goal coming to this event. Of course, the guys wanted to win a European championship, with Covid-19 taking away the last opportunity. That tournament was, as life was, all over the place. So, our two-part goal was winning the Europeans and qualifying for the Paralympics. We’re half way there now and it’s a good feeling.”

The men’s final will take place on Saturday 19th August at 4:30pm BST. GB Women head out for their final against Netherlands tomorrow (18th August) at 7pm BST.

Follow GB Men and GB Women as they progress through the competition via our GB Fanzone: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/fan-zone/iwbf-european-championships-2023/

Watch the games live on the European Para Championships website: https://www.epc2023.tv/

Photo credit: BWB / SA Images