Bethan Fagan

A positive day for GB at the 2023 IWBF European Championships as both teams secure victories in their fourth pool stage games.

GB Women took the win 68:26 against France, their second victory in a row. Kayla Bell was a key asset in building GB’s lead, ensuring scoring opportunities with perfectly placed curl assists. The GB defense was fierce, shutting down France’s scoring chances and capitalising on fumbled possession by the opposition. A coast-to-coast from Joy Haizelden earned a cheer from the GB supporters at the Ahoy. Robyn Love was game leader on points with 22 points, and Helen Freeman was game leader on rebounds and assists with 13 rebounds and 14 assists. Haizelden had 5 steals.

GB Men took the win 56:70 in a physical competition against Italy, a crucial for the team as they progress through the pool stage. Italy were hard hitting, and soon began to rack up the fouls as the tension built across the court. Gregg Warburton found his rhythm shooting and was game leader on points with 23 points. Lee Manning was a disruptive force under the basket, earning 13 rebounds in the process. Phil Pratt was game leader on assists with 19 assists. Harry Brown went 8/9 on free throws, ending the game with 16 points.

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 credits: BWB / SA Images

A crucial win against Spain for GB Women, and GB Men go 3/3 on day three of the 2023 IWBF European Championships.

GB Women took the win 70:53 against a strong Spanish side. The starting five were relentless from the tipoff, with Robyn Love expertly claiming the first points. Jade Atkin muscled through Spain’s defence to build the foundations of GB’s lead. Charlotte Moore was on form blocking the Spanish offensive manoeuvres, securing 5 rebounds. Helen Freeman closed out the first half by sinking a three-pointer, earning a roar from the crowd. Freeman was game leader on assists with 11 assists.

GB Men won 83:49 against Israel in a game that showcased the depth of the squad. Lee Manning claimed game leader on points with 17 points, and joint game leader on rebounds with Martin Edwards who had 7 rebounds. Lee Fryer was close behind Manning on points with 16 points. Phil Pratt was game leader on assists with 9 assists. The GB Men controlled the tempo of the game throughout, carving through Israel defences and creating unstoppable offensive opportunities for themselves.

Next up, GB Women play France tomorrow (14/08) at 2pm BST. GB Men face Italy 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 credits: BWB / SA Images

Day two of the wheelchair basketball programme at the European Para Championships saw a doubleheader for the GB Men and GB Women.

GB Men delivered a comprehensive performance against Austria, securing a 50:100 win. Youngster Lee Fryer topped the stats with 21 points. Kyle Marsh was game leader on assists with 8 assists. The GB Men were steadfast in defence, blocking and stealing across the court to minimise the Austrian side’s opportunities.

GB Women took a 15:83 win against Turkiye in their second game of the 2023 European Championships. Anastasia Blease, the youngest member of the GB Women’s squad, made her GB Senior debut. Jade Atkin was a force to be reckoned with, putting up 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals. Teammate Helen Freeman was game leader on assists with 7 assists.

Tomorrow (13/08), GB Women play Spain at 9am BST. GB Men play Israel at 6pm 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/ 

Day one of the wheelchair basketball programme at the European Para Championships got underway with an explosive display of skill and heart across the two game courts.

GB Women were up first for their opening game of the 2023 European Championships. Germany took the win 43:48 after a tough battle.

Laurie Williams marked her return to international basketball following the birth of her daughter. Robyn Love was game leader on points with 17 points, making a statement on her return following her break in the summer. Helen Freeman was joint game leader on rebounds with 11 rebounds and was team leader on assists with 8 assists.

Later in the day, GB Men had a 58:44 victory against Turkiye, getting their European Championships 2023 campaign off to a winning start. Gregg Warburton was game leader on points with 19 points, with Ben Fox close behind with 18 points. Lee Manning topped the charts with 14 rebounds. Phil Pratt had a game-leading 9 assists.

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/

Written by Justine Baynes, CEO of British Wheelchair Basketball

What a fantastic weekend we had at our Kukri National Junior Championships! I was delighted to see so many young players competing and enjoying themselves. I was particularly struck by the energy in the room throughout the weekend, it really was an exciting competition. I would also like to thank all of the volunteers who supported us – we couldn’t run any of our events and competitions without you, so thank you to everyone who gives up their time for our sport.

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to take part in our consultation about the development of the junior programme. We were thrilled by the number of people who were willing to contribute and the information that you gave us. Our researchers said that they were taken aback by the passion and love for the sport that everyone showed in their conversations. I know that there were a few people who did not manage to book a slot over the weekend, but please do not worry. We will be sending out an online questionnaire at the end of this month so please do use this opportunity to give us your thoughts.

Once we have completed the consultation process, we will share the recommendations with you as well as an implementation programme timetable – its important to see this as a long term investment and not simply a few quick fix changes!

As I write this, the GB Men’s and GB Women’s teams are gathering in Loughborough ahead of their departure for the European Championships in Rotterdam. This is also our Paris qualifying event, so there is a lot riding on the next two weeks! The IWBF European Championships this year are part of a huge Para multi-sport event, so it will be interesting to see how that is delivered and whether it is a sustainable event model. Please join me in wishing our teams the very best of luck and follow our social channels to support the teams!

Support the GB Men and GB Women at the European Championships – head to our Fanzone to find out more: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/fan-zone/iwbf-european-championships-2023/

Images: BWB / AhmedPhotos

A thrilling weekend of U14s and U18s fixtures took place in Worcester as we named our champions for the final event of the 2022/23 season!

Dreigiau Cymru won the U14s competition, showing impressive basketball skills on-court and working together as a team. Scotland White claimed silver, and Scotland Blue won bronze.

In the U18s competition, Scotland U18 were untouchable as they went 4/4 and claimed the title with a collective team effort of both skill and heart. England North took home silver, and England South claimed bronze.

A massive congratulations to everyone who took part, and a big shout out to all the volunteers and officials who make our sport possible. We look forward to next season!

Ahead of the Kukri National Junior Championships taking place this weekend (5th-6th August, Worcester), we’re proud to celebrate the athletes and staff who will be representing their regions / Home Nations in this exciting competition!

We are delighted to have five teams in the U18s competition and eight in the U14s, providing a competitive and fun environment for the youngest participants in our sport.

England North:

Head Coach – Aaron Hirst
Team Manager – Becky Ramsden

Ollie Porter – 1.0. National/ Junior League – Mohawks
Hayley Cassin – 1.5. National/Women’s League – Sheffield Steelers
Matthew Smedley – 1.5. National/ Junior League – Mohawks
Henley Cavanagh – 2.0. National League – Manchester Revolution, Junior League – Swansea Storm
Oliver Wightman – 2.0. National/ Junior League – Mohawks
Emily Branthwaite – 3.0. National / Junior League – Mohawks, Women’s League – London Titans/ Mohawks. WPL – East London Phoenix
George Hazard (C) – 4.5. National/ Junior League – Mohawks
Bradley Thompson – 4.5. National League – Sheffield Steelers, Junior League – Wakefield Whirlwinds

England Central:

Head Coach: Zviko Chigumba
Assistant Coach: Tom Smith
Team Manager: George Gray

Joshua Prickett – 1.0. National/Junior League – Aces
Kamari Parker – 1.5. National/Junior League – The Bears
Sam Appleton – 2.0. National/Junior League – Aces
Sean Chigumba – 2.0. National/ Junior League – Aces
Lillie Hickman – 2.5. National/Junior League – The Bears, Women’s League – CWBA, WPL – Worcester Wolves
Wyatt Millward – 4.5. National/Junior League – The Bears
Elana Brand (C) – 4.5. National/Junior League – Aces, Women’s League – CWBA, WPL – Worcester Wolves
Finlay Dowdeswell – 5.0. National League – CWBA, Junior League – The Bears

England South:

Head Coach: Beth Wheeler
Assistant Coach: Jack Davey
Team Manager: Percy Hutchful

Nakita Wright – 1.0. National League – Cardiff Met Archers, Womens League – Sparrows/CWBA
Connor McElroy – 1.5. National League – Southern Sharks, Junior League – London Titans
Chloe Fiveash – 3.0. National League – Southern Sharks, Junior/Womens League – London Titans, WPL – East London Phoenix
Landen Brett – 3.0. National League – Southern Sharks
Zach Greary – 3.5. National/Junior League – Thames Valley Kings
Joel Clifton (C) – 3.5. National League – Plymouth Fusion
Lila Davis – 5.0 – National/Junior/Women’s League – London Titans
Conal O’Donovan – 5.0. National/Junior League – Thames Valley Kings

Scotland

Charlie Redmond – 2.0 – Lothian Phoenix
Ben Flanigan – 3 – Lothian Phoenix
Finlay Erskine – 4.0 – Lothian Phoenix
Daniel Mclaughlin – 1.5 – Glasgow Rollin Rocks
David Mclaughlin – 1.0 – Lothian Phoenix
Roman Murray – 5.0 – Lothian Phoenix
Kai Goldie – 3.0 – Lothian Phoenix
Jack Caird – 3.0 – Grampian Flyers
Shayne Humphries – 3.0 – Lothian Phoenix/Dundee Dragons
Owen Leitch – 5.0 – Dundee Dragons

Head Coach: Mark Stevenson
Team Manager: Brian Boreland

Wales

Head Coach: Jen Browning
Assistant Coach: Oliver Griffith-Salter
Team Manager: Dan May

Kai Hamilton Frisby – 1.0. Junior League – Aberystwyth
Mason Pendergrast – 1.0. Junior League – North Wales Knights
Ryan Jones – 1.5. Junior League – North Wales Knight
Corey Cox – 2.5. National & Junior League – Swansea Storm
Daniel Berry – 3.0. National League – Swansea Storm
Libi Phillips – 3.5. National/ Women’s League / WPL – Cardiff Met Archers, Junior League – North Wales Knights
Destyn Blake – 4.5. National & Junior League – Swansea Storm
Millie Stott – 5.0. Junior & Women’s League – North Wales Knights
Jack Scott – 5.0. National & Junior League – North Wales Knights

Find out more about the upcoming Kukri National Junior Championships: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/junior-championships-2023/

by Justine Baynes, CEO of British Wheelchair Basketball

I am delighted to announce that British Wheelchair Basketball is launching a major review into our Junior programme, with the intention of creating an experience for our young athletes that will help them get the very best out of our sport. We recognise that the number of athletes under the age of 18 has declined by around 40% over the last five years and we need to take steps to reverse that. We want to grow the number of young people enjoying our sport, both at grassroots level and through our high performance pathways.

The review will be conducted by an independent organisation, Enlightful, and will be split into two parts. The first part is a consultation that we are launching at our National Junior Championships in Worcester this weekend (5th-6th August 2023). We will be running sessions for U18 and U14 players, coaches, officials, pathway staff from Home Nations and parents.

We will also be running focus groups with BWB staff, DiSE athletes and coaches, technical officials, Inspire A Generation delivery partners, current GB academy players throughout August. We will also talk to those who have left the sport to understand why they made that decision and what we could have done differently. All BWB members will also have the chance to contribute via an online questionnaire that will be sent to every member.

This insight will inform a greater understand of the current athlete experience, provide an informed view of what best practice might look like over the next ten years and create recommendations for how we can develop the experience at all levels for young athletes. It will also include recommendations for communication channels and styles.

To sum it up, this review will enable us to work with our U18 community to co-create a system where we can provide the right opportunities for those athletes, parents, coaches and everyone involved to get the most out of our sport. It is important to us that we don’t just impose a new system, but that we listen to what the community wants and needs. We want to create an experience together that will support all young athletes in our sport so that everyone has a positive experience from wheelchair basketball.

Please do engage with the team from Enlightful on this process – it will only work if you add your voice.

The second part of the process is that we will take the recommendations and implement them. We will share with you what these recommendations are and how and when they will be implemented.

This review has been made possible by a grant from the Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund and we are grateful to them for supporting the project.

National Junior Championships takes place 5th-6th August in Worcester – find out more: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/junior-championships-2023/