Dani Williams

British Wheelchair Basketball and DYNAMIK announce five year partnership

December 21, 2018 by Dani Williams

British Wheelchair Basketball and DYNAMIK announce five year partnership

Concluding an incredible year for the sport, today British Wheelchair Basketball welcomed DYNAMIK as its Official Technical Partner.

The partnership will see the two organisations work together through key sporting moments including the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020 and Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The sports flooring and walling specialist, DYNAMIK will join British Wheelchair Basketball as the National Governing Body (NGB) builds upon its unprecedented success of 2018 and pushes towards delivering its four key strategic targets – including doubling participation and continued GB men and women’s medal success.

British Wheelchair Basketball’s CEO, Lisa Pearce is delighted to announce the partnership and commented:

“This year has seen the sport realise unprecedented success – our GB squads now hold three World Championship titles with our GB women’s team holding the World Championship silver medal.

“I am excited to announce our partnership with DYNAMIK – our sport truly illustrates the power of wheelchair basketball and the positive impact it can have on peoples’ lives whether you are a player, volunteer, official or GB athlete. DYNAMIK is as passionate as we are to enable our journey over the next five years, bringing wheelchair basketball to more players and new audiences.

“We are united in this vision and we both have the drive and grit to realise these goals, and we welcome DYNAMIK to the British Wheelchair Basketball family.”

Craig Jack of DYNAMIK shares Lisa’s passion for the future of British Wheelchair Basketball and added:

“We are committed to supporting British Wheelchair Basketball to create more opportunities for new players to access the sport – part of this vision is to deliver sports environments and surfaces which enhance the playing experience for wheelchair basketball players.

“We are truly excited about the future of our partnership with British Wheelchair Basketball – we have watched with pride during the sports success in 2018. It is a privilege to now announce our support as their Official Technical Partner.”

Festive Deadline Announced for BWB Shop

November 21, 2018 by Dani Williams

Festive Deadline Announced for BWB Shop

The British Wheelchair Basketball supporter apparel and GB Replica kits are the perfect presents for this festive season. To guarantee delivery prior to Christmas orders must be placed by Friday 30 November 2018.

Kitlocker has confirmed its Christmas deliver order deadline as the end of November. Anyone wishing to purchase the perfect gift for fans of British Wheelchair Basketball need to have placed their order no later than Friday 30 November.

The recently launched British Wheelchair Basketball range includes, for the first time, the opportunity for GB Supporters to buy their own replica GB kit complete with their own name, or that of their sporting heros. For just £30 the replica vest would be a unique present for any GB Fan, who cheered the teams on during their historic World Championship campaign this summer, complete with personalised name and number.

Alongside the replica kit the Supporters range includes popular items including Adidas Core Hoodie, Adidas Tiro Backpack and Adidas Core Raincoat.

For the ultimate gift for the ultimate wheelchair basketball fan visit www.bwbshop.co.uk

GB Men receive The Bill McGowran Award

November 21, 2018 by Dani Williams

GB Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team accept The Bill McGowran Award at the 2018 Sport Journalists’ Association Awards.

The celebrations continue for the GB Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team as their historic World Championships win is recognised at the 2018 Sports Journalists’ Association Awards.

Representatives of the GB team, who historically brought home the World Championship title this summer, attended the Tower of London awards ceremony on Thursday 6 December 2018.

The prestigious Award, which recognises achievement in para sport, has a glittering roll of honour featuring legendary names including David Weir, Tanni Grey-Thompson and last year’s recipients Alfie Hewett and Hannah Cockcroft.

GB’s Jim Palmer, Martin Edwards and James MacSorley received their award from incoming British Paralympics Association’s CEO Mike Sharrock. Alongside the GB Men, Menna Fitzpatrick and Jen Kehoe were also recognised with the Bill McGowran Award.

The GB Men’s Team have been recognised by the Sports Journalists’ Association Awards twice before in 1997, following their Paralympic Silver Medal in Atlanta and in 2002 when they secured silver medal at the World Championships.

Commenting on the team’s success GB’s #6 James Macsorley said:

“It has been a phenomenal year for the GB Men, winning the World Championships in Hamburg was a moment that I, as an athlete, will never forget. It was a team earned title, and one which we dug deep and worked hard to win. We were single minded in our ambition to secure GB’s first World Championship gold and it was an incredible feeling.

“It is an honour to receive this award on behalf of the GB Men’s team. We cannot thank the press and sports journalists enough for their support and belief in our team throughout the tournament this summer.”

British Wheelchair Basketball’s Performance Director, Jayne Ellis, said “We are immensely proud of all the players, coaches and staff who work tirelessly together to achieve our shared ambition, receiving this award for our men’s team is a fitting end to a spectacular year.”

The Lord’s Taverners Junior League Begins!

November 14, 2018 by Dani Williams

THE LORD’S TAVERNERS JUNIOR LEAGUE BEGINS

Get ready for epic weekend of wheelchair basketball, as the Lord’s Taverners Junior League returns for the 2018/19 season.

Tipping off on the weekend of 17-18 November in Livingston, Colwyn Bay and Newark, the junior league is a vital part of British Wheelchair Basketball’s hugely successful player pathway.

Every member of the current men’s and women’s Great Britain Junior squads have previously competed in the Lord’s Taverners Junior League and have gone on to excel at international level. The GB Junior women’s team are two-time U24 European Champions and the current U25 World Champions, while the GB Junior men’s team are the current U23 World Champions.

The Lord’s Taverners Junior League is also critical in the selection of junior players to regional teams for School Games and Junior Championships.

British Wheelchair Basketball Participation Director, Jo Richards comments: “November welcomes the start of our junior competition season. The Lord’s Taverners Junior League is pivotal in underpinning the talent and skills development of young players within the UK.

“The Lord’s Taverners continued investment in British Wheelchair Basketball’s Junior Programme is proven to have significantly contributed to the world-wide success of the GB Teams. The Lord’s Taverners Junior League also enables high quality competitive opportunities for young players and has opened the sport of wheelchair basketball to new participants.”

The league allows players to enjoy extended periods of play on the court, providing players of all skill levels the opportunity to experience the strong team ethos and fun that makes wheelchair basketball an inclusive and accessible sport.

The league features 16 teams from across the UK, placed into five groups with teams playing each other over four weekends between November 2018 and March 2019.

On 27th April 2019, the top eight teams will compete in the ‘Elite 8’ competition, in which there will be 11 back-to-back, full length matches to determine the two teams who will compete in the Lord’s Taverners Junior League Final Game at EIS Sheffield on Saturday 25 May 2019.

To find to find your local club visit https://www.britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/gbwba/index.cfm/get-involved/find-a-club/.

Find your Local Junior League Fixtures here

GB Junior Women Crowned U24 European Champions

November 4, 2018 by Dani Williams

The incredible year continues as a triumphant GB Junior Women’s team are crowned U24 European Champions.

The GB U24 Women’s squad have delivered an outstanding tournament in Bordeaux and clearly laid down their world class credentials on the European stage as they defeated Germany in a dramatic final game 48-27 to retain their European title.

Undefeated throughout the tournament, the 2018 European Championships witnessed the GB Women dominate the courts of Villenave-d’Ornon as GB, France and Germany all battled for the coveted title.

As reigning U24 European and U25 World Champions, GB was undoubtedly the team to watch during the tournament. The game statistics speak for themselves with Captain Joy Haizelden delivering the treble double in the second GB v Germany clash, with 11 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds:

Game	Result	Points	Rebounds	Assists
FRA v GBR	25-45	14 – M Thompson12 – J Haizelden	8 – M Thompson8 – J Haizelden	6 – J Haizelden
GBR v GER	57-17	18 – S Fitzpatrick10 – J Atkin	11- J Haizelden	13 – J Haizelden
GER v GBR	14-63	11 – J Haizelden9 – C Moore	11- J Haizelden8 – M Bell	11 – J Haizelden
GBR v FRA	53-18	24 – M Thompson	7 – M Thompson	8 – J Haizelden
GBR v GER	48-27	16 – M Thompson16 – L Robinson	9 – L Robinson7 – J Haizelden	5 – J Haizelden

Three of the GB U24 Women’s Team were also named in the tournament All Star 5: Maddie Thompson, Joy Haizelden and Charlotte Moore.

Testament to the strength of the talent pathway in the UK, the European Championships saw a staggering seven GB Junior Women make their international debut for GB. The mix of established senior players and new squad members was clearly a winning combination.

Following the Gold Medal game GB U24 Captain Joy Haizelden commented:

“This tournament saw everyone working together as a team; some of the newer girls being integrated with some of the older ones with more experience which has helped us so much – they are learning from us and we are learning from them as well.”

Delighted by his team’s win, GB U24 Head Coach Dan Price echoed Joy’s sentiment and added:

“We are two time defending U24 European Champions – I could not be more proud of the group that we have played in France. As Joy mentioned it’s a mixed group with some senior members and some junior members, and the integration of those two working together is key.

“We’ve only been together for a very short amount of time, we still have a lot to learn about one another – we are still very raw but this is just the tip of the iceberg and we are very excited for the journey going forward. We still have a lot of work to do going into World Championships but we are looking forward to getting back to work.”

Name	Region	National League 18/19	Women’s League 18/19	Junior League 18/19
Charlotte Moore (1)	West Midlands	CWBA	CWBA
Michaela Bell (1.5)	South East	CWBA	Sheffield Steelers
Adele Atkin (2)	South East	Tornados	Blackhawks
Joy Haizelden (2.5)	South East	CWBA	CWBA
Jessica Dowdeswell (3)	West Midlands	CWBA	CWBA	CWBA
Siobhan Fitzpatrick (3)	West Midlands	Warwickshire Bears	CWBA
Niamh Horan (3)	North West	Manchester Mavericks	Angels of the North
Anastasia Blease (3.5)	Wales	North Wales Knights	North Wales Knights	North Wales Knights
Maddison Martin (3.5)	South East	Tornados	Red Dust Warriors	Tornados
Maddie Thompson (4)	Yorkshire	Sheffield Steelers	Sheffield Steelers
Jade Atkin (4.5)	South East	Tornados	Blackhawks	Tornados
Lucy Robinson (4.5)	East Midlands	Sheffield Steelers	Leicester Cobras

Staff:

Head Coach – Dan Price
Assistant Coach – Ally Hope
Team Manager – Rosie Williams
Physio – Laura Heathcote

Professor Philip Wilson appointed as Chair of British Wheelchair Basketball

November 1, 2018 by Dani Williams

British Wheelchair Basketball today announced the appointment of its new Chair Professor Philip Wilson, with effect from 1 November 2018.

The appointment underpins the NGBs transformation of its leadership model following the May 2018 appointment of new CEO Lisa Pearce.

Professor Wilson brings to British Wheelchair Basketball significant boardroom experience holding trustee positions for both sporting and academic organisations, including, Chief Executive of Conde Nast College (part of Conde Nast International, the billion-dollar group that owns Vogue, GQ etc), Quality Assurance Agency, Chair of Independent HE, ACDAP, Burnley Football Club in the Community and Liverpool Amateur Football League.

As British Wheelchair Basketball’s first Chair recruited from outside of the sports membership, Professor Wilson joins the NGB at a time of unprecedented success.

He will join CEO Lisa Pearce in driving forward the momentum of change at a time when the sport is on the precipice of realising significant ambitions commercially, domestically and at elite level.

Commenting on his appointment Professor Philip Wilson stated:

“It is an honour to accept the position as British Wheelchair Basketball’s Chair and I will be very proud to lead the Board.

“At my core I am a passionate advocate of ‘sport for all’ and look forward to driving forward the NGB’s ambitious strategic direction into Tokyo and beyond.”

Delighted to confirm the news of the appointment CEO Lisa Pearce added:

“We are privileged to welcome a Chair of Professor Wilson’s calibre to lead our Board. We are only just scratching the surface of this sport’s potential domestically and internationally, the opportunities to positively change the future landscape of wheelchair basketball and disability sport are endless.

“We are delighted that he is joining our team and we relish the prospect of breaking new ground working alongside Professor Wilson and the Board’s strategic direction.”

GB Women’s Team announced on Sunday Times shortlist

October 7, 2018 by Dani Williams

GB Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team is announced on the shortlist for Team of the Year for Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Award (SWOTY)

The incredible year continues for our GB Women following today’s announcement in the Sunday Times that they are one of four all female teams nominated for this year’s Team of the Year Award.

Following their historic World Championships campaign this August in Hamburg the team captivated a nation as they broke new ground for British women’s wheelchair basketball. They are the first GB women’s team ever to secure a place in a major final, and the first in history to bring home the silver medal from a World Championships.

This success marks the current GB women’s squad as the most successful team in our sports history – the squad who finished fourth in Rio and secured the bronze medal at the Europeans have tipped off their Tokyo campaign with a World Championships silver.

On hearing the news GB Head Coach Miles Thompson commented:

“This summer our GB Women demonstrated their true grit and determination, representing our nation with pride. They have committed countless hours of hard work to securing the silver medal success at the Hamburg World Championships.

“This is a young squad whose average age in Hamburg was just 23 – Hamburg is just the start of our team’s journey to the Tokyo Paralympics and undoubtedly there is much more to come.

“It is incredible to be shortlisted for Team of the Year at the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards and we hope that the British Public and the fans of our sport get behind all the shortlisted teams and start voting.”

To vote for the GB Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team visit https://sportswomenoftheyear.co.uk/awards

Voting closes on Monday 29 October at 12pm

Jayne Ellis Announced as British Wheelchair Basketball’s New Performance Director

September 21, 2018 by Dani Williams

British Wheelchair Basketball Announced the Appointment of GB Taekwondo’s Jayne Ellis as its New Performance Director

Jayne Ellis will join our National Governing Body at a historic moment for the sport of wheelchair basketball as both GB Team’s secured medal finishes at the 2018 Hamburg World Championships, with the men’s team bringing home GB’s first ever senior Championship title.

It is a critical time for British Wheelchair Basketball’s GB performance programme in its preparations for the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020. The NGB is confident that the programme will be in safe hands following the appointment of Jayne Ellis who is no stranger to Paralympic medal success, having forged her career in high performance coaching, athlete development and world class programmes management.

Ellis will bring to the programme her world class performance credentials having worked with both the British Cycling and GB Taekwondo teams, and also previously leading the delivery of the EIS Paralympic Talent Strategy.

Jayne Ellis will take up the post of Performance Director on Monday 5 November. On the news of her appointment Ellis stated:

“It is a true honour to join British Wheelchair Basketball’s Performance Programme – it is one of the most successful Paralympic team sports which is continuing to go from strength to strength. This is an exciting opportunity to build upon the strengths of this programme from great foundations.

“My career has been forged within Paralympic sport for which I have a unique insight and a passion. I am looking forward to working with the GB Performance Staff, athletes and EIS practitioners to further establish this performance programme as world leading.”

British Wheelchair Basketball’s CEO, Lisa Pearce – excited by the appointment – comments:

“We are delighted to welcome Jayne Ellis to British Wheelchair Basketball. Not only will Jayne lead our GB Performance Programme into a successful Tokyo Paralympics and beyond, she will take up a key role on our Senior Leadership Team, shaping the strategic direction of the NGB and the sport domestically and internationally.

“In Hamburg we clearly demonstrated to the international wheelchair basketball community the strength of our GB Performance Programme and the wealth of talent emerging through our pathways. I look forward to working with Jayne as she drives our performance programme towards the Tokyo Paralympic Games and once again demonstrates the world beating credentials of the GB teams.”