Eilidh McNaughton

The groups that GB Men and GB Women will compete in at Paris 2024 have been confirmed today following the IWBF draw. 

GB Men were drawn in Group A, where they will play Canada, Germany, and France. 

GB Women were drawn in Group A, where they will play China, Canada, and Spain.  

Wheelchair basketball will take place on all 11 days of the Games in the Bercy Arena – schedule below:  

Thursday 29^th August to Monday 2^nd September – Men’s and Women’s Group Games 

Tuesday 3^rd September – Men’s Quarter-Finals 

Wednesday 4^th September – Women’s Quarter-Finals 

Thursday 5^th September – Men’s Semi-Finals 

Friday 6^th September – Women’s Semi-Finals 

Saturday 7^th September – Men’s Medal Games (Bronze and Gold) 

Sunday 8^th September – Women’s Medal Games (Bronze and Gold) 

We’ll be covering all the action on our social media channels and can’t wait to see the support for both teams throughout the summer!   

Tickets for the wheelchair basketball at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are on sale via their official website: https://tickets.paris2024.org/en/search/?affiliate=24D  

This year’s edition of the National Junior Championships will be held on August 3^rd and 4^th at the University of Worcester.

Trials to determine the official squad list for the three regional England U18 teams – Northern, Central, and South – will begin in the coming weeks across the country.

Players that were 17 years old or younger on the 31^st of August 2023 are eligible to compete in the tournament.

Players wishing to be selected for their respective regional team will be required to attend at least one, preferably two, of the relevant trials.

Those juniors selected to represent their region will be required to attend a third training session ahead of the event.  

The dates, times, and locations of all trial sessions are as follows:

NORTH

Northumbria, June 16th (10:00-12:00 & 14:00-16:00) – Trial date

Location: Northumbria University Coach Lane Campus Sports Centre, NE7 7XA

Durham, July 13th (10:00-12:00 & 14:00-16:00) – Trial date

Location: Durham University Sports & Wellbeing Park, Arena C, Durham, DH1 3SE

Durham, July 27th (10:00-12:00 & 14:00-16:00) – Training date for selected participants

Location: Durham University Sports & Wellbeing Park, Arena C, Durham, DH1 3SE

SOUTH

St Mary’s Twickenham, June 16th (11:00-13:00 & 14:00-16:00) – Trial date

Location: St Marys University Performance Hall, Twickenham, TW1 4SX

St Mary’s Twickenham, July 14th (11:00-13:00 & 14:00-16:00) – Trial date

Location: St Marys University Performance Hall, Twickenham, TW1 4SX

St Mary’s Twickenham, July 28th (11:00-13:00 & 14:00-16:00) – Training date for selected participants

Location: St Marys University Performance Hall, Twickenham, TW1 4SX

CENTRAL

Birmingham, June 16th (10:00-12:00 & 13:00-15:00)- Trial date

Location: Nechells Wellbeing Centre, Birmingham, B7 4AR

Birmingham, July 14th (10:00-12:00 & 13:00-15:00)-Trial date

Location: Nechells Wellbeing Centre, Birmingham, B7 4AR

Birmingham, July 28th (10:00-12:00 & 13:00-15:00) – Training date for selected participants

Location: Nechells Wellbeing Centre, Birmingham, B7 4AR

If you would like to attend a trial session, please complete the following form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=8NAE2VCsb0GpdwYuoB1ATBUYbKVOMeBAmSeuWd2ZYcdUMU1ONEJSNTlKM1dIVFZFVDlRUVhRTFE4Mi4u

If you have any further queries regarding the trials and selection process please get in touch with Emma Graham – e.graham@britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk.

The England regional teams will compete against Scottish and Welsh teams.

Basketball Scotland have already hosted trials and selected a squad.

Selection trials for Welsh Under 14 and Under 18 teams will take place on Sunday 23rd June in Aberystwyth.

Head to Disability Sport Wales for further information: https://www.disabilitysportwales.com/en-gb/news/wheelchair-basketball-national-teams#cookieConsent

Any player wishing to compete at the National Junior Championships will be required to have a Junior Membership and Player License.

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In Spain, the BSR hosted their Final Four weekend to decide the league standings and crown it’s 2023/24 champions. For the third consecutive season, Amiab Albacete (Harry Brown, Simon Brown, Ben Fox, Lee Manning, Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt) secured the championship title after defeating runners-up CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater). Bidaideak Bilbao (James MacSorley) and UCAM Murcia (Lee Fryer, Peter Cusack) secured third and fourth positions respectively.

The weekend of playoffs kicked off with CD Ilunion securing their place in the final with a 82:55 victory over UCAM Murcia. For CD Ilunion, Gregg Warburton had 12 points and 6 assists. Terry Bywater had 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. For UCAM Murcia, Lee Fryer had 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Peter Cusack had 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Amiab Albacete confirmed their spot in the final with a 68:55 victory against Bidaideak Bilbao. For Amiab Albacete, Ben Fox had 5 points and 2 rebounds. Lee Manning had 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 assists. Charlotte Moore had 4 points. Phil Pratt had 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. For Bidaideak Bilbao, James MacSorley had 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.

In Sunday’s 3^rd/4^th playoff, Bidaideak Bilbao claimed 3^rd place in the league with a 56:66 victory over UCAM Murcia. For Bidaideak Bilbao, James MacSorley had 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. For UCAM Murcia, Lee Fryer had 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Peter Cusack had 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists.

The 2023/24 Spanish league culminated in Amiab Albacete’s 65:80 victory against CD Ilunion. The top two teams met in what was a rematch of both the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey finals earlier this season, with Amiab Albacete emerging victorious on all three occasions. For CD Ilunion, Gregg Warburton had 10 points, 1 rebound, and 8 assists. Terry Bywater had 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. For Amiab Albacete, Ben Fox had 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. Lee Manning had 12 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists. Charlotte Moore had 4 points. Phil Pratt had 25 points, 1 rebound, and 8 assists.

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

German League: https://rollstuhlbasketball.de/ergebnisse/  

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

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

BWB Women’s Premier League: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/womens-premier-league-2023-24-2/  

Italy: https://www.federipic.it/  

Photo: BWB / SA Images

At home in the BWB National League Premier Division, Manchester Revolution (Martin Edwards, Tyler Baines) won 80:76 in a top-of-the-table clash against Sheffield Steelers (Maddie Thompson). For Manchester Revolution, Martin Edwards had 24 points. Tyler Baines had 25 points. For Sheffield Steelers, Maddie Thompson had 6 points.  

In Spain, Amiab Albacete (Harry Brown, Simon Brown, Ben Fox, Lee Manning, Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt) won 48:98 on the road against Menarini Joventut. Harry Brown had 4 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Ben Fox had 20 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Phil Pratt had 28 points, 4 rebounds and 14 assists.  

Bidaideak Bilbao (James MacSorley) won 61:80 over hosts Mideba Extremadura. James MacSorley had 1 assist.  

Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Kyle Marsh) claimed the win 56:74 against Iberconsa Amfiv. Abdi Jama had 12 points and 1 assist. Kyle Marsh had 13 points, 2 rebounds and 10 assists.  

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Spanish League: http://bsr.feddf.es/ 

German League: https://rollstuhlbasketball.de/ergebnisse/ 

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

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

BWB Women’s Premier League: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/womens-premier-league-2023-24-2/ 

Italy: https://www.federipic.it/ 

After an intense day of playoffs, Lothian Phoenix and Mohawks are the top two teams that will be meeting in the Junior League final at the BWB National Championship Finals in Essex.

Enthusiastic teams and supporters headed to the Nottingham Wildcats Arena for a full day of competitive games, with all junior players hoping to extend their season and secure their spot in the final.

Starting the day with the quarter-finals: Mohawks 60:13 Aberystwyth, Aces 64:33 Wakefield Whirlwind, Bears 40:63 Lothian Phoenix, and Swansea Storm were through on a bye.

In the semi-finals, a thrilling clash between Aces and last year’s champions Lothian Phoenix came down to the final basket as the Scottish side won 54:54 with an intense final quarter. Across the hall, Mohawks delivered a comprehensive display of team skill to win 74:41 against Swansea Storm.

Congratulations to all teams involved in today’s tournament. We would like to extend a thank you to all players, team staff, and supporters who made the busy day a success. Full results: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/kukri-junior-league-elite-8s-2024/

Final standings:
Junior League Finalists: Lothian Phoenix and Mohawks
3. Aces
4. Swansea Storm
5. Bears
6. Aberystwyth
7. Wakefield Whirlwinds
8. London Titans

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Don’t forget to buy your tickets to the BWB National Championship Finals 2024 in Essex to see who will claim victory in the Junior League! Get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-championship-finals-2024-tickets-877864224527

National Championship Finals schedule: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/national-championship-finals-2024/

At home in the BWB National League, London Titans (Jack Perry, Jude Hamer, Gaz Choudhry) clinched a 66:70 win against Jaguars (Lucy Robinson). For London Titans, Jack Perry had 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. For Jaguars, Lucy Robinson had 4 points and 1 rebound.

Manchester Revolution (Martin Edwards, Tyler Baines) secured 30:63 victory on the road against Mohawks. For Manchester Revolution, Martin Edwards had 22 points. Tyler Baines had 19 points.

In Spain, Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Kyle Marsh) secured an 88:57 win against Servigest Burgos (Helen Freeman). For Amivel Reyes Gutierrez, Abdi Jama had 16 points and 2 assists. Kyle Marsh had 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. For Servigest Burgos, Helen Freeman had 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Amiab Albacete (Harry Brown, Simon Brown, Ben Fox, Lee Manning, Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt) had a dominant 77:30 victory over IMF Getafe. For Amiab Albacete, Harry Brown had 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. Simon Brown had 1 rebound and 2 assists. Ben Fox had 21 points 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Lee Manning had 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists. Charlotte Moore had 2 points.

Bidaideak Bilbao (James MacSorley) secured an 86:72 win over Iberconsa Amfiv. For Bidaideak Bilbao, James MacSorley had 4 points.

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

German League: https://rollstuhlbasketball.de/ergebnisse/

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

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

BWB Women’s Premier League: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/womens-premier-league-2023-24-2/

Italy: https://www.federipic.it/

BWB is proud to highlight the latest example of Officials education made possible by the Inspire a Generation programme.

Funding by IAG allowed Jake Horowitz and Luke Rockett to undergo their Level 2 BWB Referee qualification, which involved online study, online conversion course meetings, a rules test, and a practical session in wheelchairs led by BWB tutor and IWBF referee Ben Wood.

Following the practical session, Jake and Luke, assisted by BWB referee Emma Tomkinson, shared refereeing duties during the Sheffield Steelers vs North East Warriors Division 3 North game.

Ben Wood commented:

“Luke & Jake worked hard over the week. They refereed 2 quarters each alongside Emma, and they both looked very comfortable on the court. They recognised many of the wheelchair-specific contacts we discussed during their training, which is often the trickiest aspect for referees to learn when converting from the running game.

I can’t stress how important it is to get referee candidates on the court quickly after completing their theory work so they can apply their new learning to in-game situations. Being able to provide instant on-court feedback using our radio earpieces also ensured their progress was sustained throughout the game, giving them a solid foundation on which to build for the future. 

Finally, thank you to both the Sheffield Steelers and North East Warriors for their support in qualifying these 2 new referees, but especially to Kev Hayes for opening up the gym early on a Sunday so the candidates could complete their training.”

If you are interested in becoming a BWB official, please head to the following page to register your interest: Join the Family – Become an Official – British Wheelchair Basketball