Lesley Pilling

Worcester Wolves Name Simon Fisher as Head Coach to Spearhead Women’s Premier League Campaign

The former British Wheelchair Basketball Academy Lead and Interim Women’s Coach for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Worcester Wolves’ new women’s wheelchair basketball premier league team.

Simon Fisher, a qualified wheelchair basketball and basketball (running game) coach, has a rich basketball pedigree, working with Basketball England’s national teams as Head Coach of England U16s from 2007 to 2011 and then England U17s Coach from 2011 to 2014. During his time with the U16s, Fisher was the first coach to lead an England age group team to promotion to Division A.

He has also played an integral part of the British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB) coaching set up. Simon joined BWB in 2014 as Talent Development Officer, progressing to Academy Lead in January 2018. Alongside this, he was the GB Men’s Team Manager when they won the World title at the 2018 World Championships, as well as Silver and Gold respectively at the 2017 and 2019 European Championships.

In March of this year, Simon was named as Interim Head Coach of the GB Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team and led them at the re-scheduled Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

In 2018, he was also Head Coach of the Wales Under 16’s National side.

As Head Coach, Simon will now lead the new women’s wheelchair basketball premier league side at the Worcester Wolves, which has already announced a fantastic line-up of players.

“I have close ties to the West Midlands region through Basketball, as a coach and administrator, in which time I have developed respect for the Wolves organisation, therefore, to have the chance to work with them, as well as the local community, athletes and students to develop Wheelchair Basketball is exciting,” he said. “It is with immense pleasure and pride to have the honour of being the inaugural Head Coach for Worcester Wolves.”

Worcester Wolves Managing Director Mick Donovan said he was very excited to have Simon Fisher as the team’s Head Coach.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming Simon to the Worcester Wolves,” he said. “He has an outstanding reputation for his contribution in all forms of the game at all levels. As well as Head coach of the High Performance Partnership team, Simon will bring so much more to the club and we believe that he will have a great impact throughout our basketball programme.”

The League will be the first of its kind for women’s wheelchair basketball in the world, and the very first professional para-sport league in the UK.

The University of Worcester will be one of four High-Performance Partnerships, which also include Cardiff Metropolitan University, Loughborough University and the University of East London, that will each be home to a women’s premier league team.

The club will be making further announcements over the coming weeks. Keep up to date with all things Worcester Wolves across their social media channels and website.

For more information about the new Women’s Premier League, visit www.britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/womens-premier-league.

Press Release: University of Worcester

To find out more about BWB’s High Performance Partnerships, including athlete study and playing opportunities, visit www.britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/womens-premier-league.

UKWB League Gets Underway

The United Kingdom Wheelchair Basketball League (UKWB), sanctioned by British Wheelchair Basketball, will get underway this weekend with the aim of players being able gain more access to competition and develop skills in a flexible and safe environment. 

Featuring twenty-two teams from across the Country, the UKWB League will provide an accessible format of the sport, predominantly aimed at providing a platform for teams both at National League Division 2 & 3 standard and those teams not regularly engaging in National League.  The format of the UKWB League will consist of four quarters of ten minutes with running clock

Commenting ahead of the first round of fixtures, Ray McBride, UKWB’s Chair, said: ‘‘It’s great to be working in partnership with BWB to offer wheelchair basketball to the grassroots clubs, its very important that we work together to give clubs more sporting opportunities’, we are also grateful for the help and support we have got from RGK, and other backers.’’

BWB Participation Director said “The UKWB has been working hard for a number of years now to provide a really important level of competition for our sport. They have delivered a high-quality opportunity for people to access competition in a more informal environment and it’s great to be working together to get more people playing the sport we love.”

“We’ve been working together to ensure BWB can support the UKWB to grow and provide a safe and fun environment for all. We’re extremely pleased to have them on board to promote the fantastic work they’re doing and  provide a seamless pathway into national league.”

How will the league work? 

The twenty-two teams taking part in the UKWB League have been split into North and South Regions with each region being broken down into two Divisions. Each team in both the regional Division 1 and 2 will be playing each other once during the group stage across a maximum of four rounds of competition. 

At the end of the group stage, the top-four in each division will then progress through to the semi-finals with a place in final at stake. The classification fixtures including 3rd / 4th playoff and final are set take place in April 2022.

Northern Region

Division 1

Cumbria Mohawks 1
Tees Valley Mohawks 1
Southport WBC
The Bulls
Wakefield Whirlwinds 1
The Owls


Division 2

Cumbria Mohawks 2
Tees valley Mohawks 2
Bradford Bears
Lancaster Bulldogs
Manchester Giants


Southern Region

Division 1

Exeter Otters
Birmingham Phoenix
Hampshire Harriers
Gloucester Blazers
Swansea Storm
Sparrows


Division 2

Hampshire Harriers 2
Swansea Storm 2
Leicester Cobras
Sussex Bears
Folkestone Arrows

More information about the league, including fixtures, results and league tables, can be found here: https://bwb.playwaze.com/ConfirmInvitation?token=ukwb9150

Follow British Wheelchair Basketball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for coverage from Sunday’s group stage fixtures. 

Bronze for ParalympicsGB Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team as they claim a dramatic win against Spain.

On the final day of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, and one of the final medals for ParalympicsGB, the men’s wheelchair basketball team completed their epic competition with a brilliant on-court performance against Spain.

The squad has earnt well deserved respect and recognition for their outstanding performance and incredible teamwork during this Paralympic Games.  Overcoming considerable challenges during preparation and as they headed out to compete, they have proven to the world the value of digging deep and working together to achieve success.

Throughout the tournament and upon achieving their bronze medal the ParalympicsGB men’s team have only conveyed admiration and respect for player/coach Choudhry’s leadership both on and off the court during the Games.

Following the bronze win Gaz Choudhry underlined the team’s mutual respect for each other, commenting:

“The team has allowed me to be an athlete, player and coach at the same time. It’s been challenging and tough but without this group I couldn’t have done it.

“Bronze medal game is more about heart – it’s the toughest game to play as both teams have absolutely had their heart broken.

“We’ve had so many knock backs, we’ve had a season where we haven’t been together for two years (due to COVID) and we have just relied on our experience of being resilient and courageous, and being truthful.”

Jayne Ellis, ParalympicsGB Team Leader and British Wheelchair Basketball Performance Director elated by the win commented:

“I have so much respect for this incredible team of players – I am superbly proud of each and every one of them. They have never backed down, staring the challenges of this tournament directly in the eye.

“With Gaz Choudhry and Ian Sagar’s leadership in the coach and captain roles, these players have shared their extensive experience and depth of knowledge of the game to empower this team to continue fighting throughout.

“Their Paralympic bronze medals are hard fought and thoroughly deserved.”

Brilliant fightback saw ParalympicsGB Men’s Team advance through to the Tokyo 2020 Semi-Finals after a dramatic win against Canada.

After a 20-point comeback against Australia on Monday, the ParalympicsGB Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team again showed incredible resilience to qualify for the semi-finals, coming from 10 points down in the third quarter to beat Canada by 14 points. 

For fans watching back home, it was another thrilling, but nail-biting final quarter, as the ParalympicsGB Men showcased their determination and fight to come from behind to reach their seventh successive Paralympic Games semi-final. 

Choudhry and the Team showcased incredible leadership on and off the court, supported by Head Coach Haj Bhania, who is advising the team remotely from the UK. 

The ParalympicsGB Men’s Team will now face Japan in the quarter finals on Friday 3 September at 12:45 (BST).   

Commenting on the team’s progression to the semi-finals, ParalympicsGB’s Harry Brown said: 

“The game went really well. We knew they would come out all guns blazing. Pat [Patrick Anderson] is one of the greatest in the World at what he does so having him out on the floor we knew he would try everything he could and throw everything at us. We battled through the storms and got the win at the end. The semi-final will be a tough one but we’ll do our prep and get the job done again.” 

British Wheelchair Basketball CEO Lisa Pearce added: 

“Watching this team on court in Tokyo is exhilarating and captivating. Their ability to reset, come together and absolutely fight to secure a win is truly spectacular.  These last two crucial games, against Australia and Canada, have underlined the sheer outstanding determination of this team to succeed. 

 “Given the challenges they have faced over the last 18 months in training and to prepare for this Games, their qualification into the semi-finals of a Paralympic Games should be applauded. 

“I have no doubt that this team will continue to keep fans enthralled with their grit and world-class games here in Tokyo into the semi-finals.” 

Breath-taking second half come-back for ParalympicsGB Men’s Team as they defeat Australia by one point to claim top of table and a place in the Tokyo 2020 Quarter-Final

In what was billed as the ‘Pool of Death’ the ParalympicsGB Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team brought drama to the courts of Tokyo to secure four stunning wins against USA, Australia, Iran and Algeria.  Just one point secured the Team’s victories against defending Paralympic Gold Medallists USA, and 2014 World Champions Australia, in games which saw the ParalympicsGB men dig deep and hold strong on court.

The Team laid bare their determination and fight as they came back from a bitter defeat against Germany to face the USA with composure and world-class shooting to secure the win. However, it was final pool game of the tournament, GB v Australia, which demonstrated the outstanding credentials and composure of this team, coming back from a 20-point deficit to clinch the victory by a single point in the final seconds of the Game.

The Team’s top of group finish at the Pool stages of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics is a testament to the influence of their Head Coach, Haj Bhania, who is supporting the team remotely from the UK, and his mentoring and preparation of player/coach Gaz Choudhry. It also characterises the resilience, perseverance and experience of the squad who have adapted and worked together to overcome significant challenges faced during their Paralympic campaign, and shines a light on the leadership that is flourishing within the team.

The ParalympicsGB Men’s Team will now face Canada in the quarter finals on Wednesday 1st September at 10:15pm (BST). 

Commenting on the Quarter Final Qualification, ParalympicsGB’s Lee Manning said:

“This is the position we wanted to be in. I’m extremely proud of the boys, I’m glad we got it done. We’ll stick together – it’s one more challenge, one more game”.

ParalympicsGB Team Leader, and British Wheelchair Basketball Performance Director Jayne Ellis added to Lee’s sentiment:

“This team have sacrificed so much in the lead up to this tournament and have spent significant time away from loved ones to be able to prepare and train.  They thoroughly deserve the wins they have delivered on court here in Tokyo.

“This is exactly what a world-class wheelchair basketball team should look like – they are once again showing the world how good they really are, working together to dig deep and deliver results.”

ParalympicsGB Women qualify for the Quarter-Finals of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Games

Dramatic scenes unfolded in Tokyo’s Ariake Wheelchair Basketball Arena as ParalympicsGB Women delivered a dramatic win against Australia to secure their place in the Quarter-Finals. The GB Women will now face China at 10:15 (BST) on Tuesday 31 August to battle for a place in the semi-finals.

The team fought hard to find its form during the opening games of the tournament, with tough losses against hosts Japan, Canada and Germany.  Their final pool game against Australia was to be a defining moment of their Paralympic Campaign, determining their qualification into the quarter finals.

Hitting the court after a 20-month absence from international competition, the GB Women had trained for the postponed 2020 Paralympics under the shadow of the UK’s COVID-19 restrictions, and during three national lockdowns.  The unique circumstances of their preparation, limited by significant periods of no equipment sharing, no close contact training, and no access to indoor basketball court environments, shines a light on the resilience of the team whose individual determination to be in Tokyo saw garages converted into gyms, and wheelchair basketball training taking place on outdoor courts and carparks.

As a GB Team they finally came together in the spring of 2021, to commence restricted environment training camps where the squad could begin their Paralympic Games preparation.  In contrast to previous major tournament’s strict travel restrictions and quarantine rules removed the opportunity for the Team to experience international pre-games training and competition environments ahead of taking to court in Tokyo. 

During the opening pool games it was clear that the squad needed the time to find its form, but tough loses against Japan, Canada and Germany were hard fought.

Following the 75-38 win against Australia, ParalympicGB’s Co-Captain Maddie Thompson commented:

“We really did ourselves proud – yesterday I said there was an ambition to find the GB Way and we really found it today. We really believed in ourselves today and I think it is really powerful when you play with a smile.  The biggest thing going into today was to have fun – remember why we play wheelchair basketball.

“I huddled everyone up and said this is for the sacrifices we make – we deserve to be here.  We’ve just started the mountain climb. We’ve got through the pools and we are now starting the climb to get into a medal position. That is where we are aiming.”

Jayne Ellis, ParalympicsGB Team Leader and BWB’s Performance Director added:

“I am so very very proud of this team, once again they have regrouped, refocused and come out onto court today determined to secure their quarter-final position. After such a long period away from competition, this is a huge stage for them to make their return.

“As World and European silver medallists they have been frustrated with the limitations of the training preparations (although understandable) – however, they have focused on basics and from today’s on-point shooting and the apparent depth in the squad it is clearly evident that this time was well spent.” 

ParalympicsGB Wheelchair Basketball arrive in Japan to commence much anticipated Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games competition

Today, British Wheelchair Basketball announced that both of its GB Teams have landed safely in Tokyo and are focused to begin their respective competition on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th August. 

The NGB confirmed that GB’s Head of Coaching and Tactical Development, Haj Bhania OBE, will remain in the UK to oversee the strategic tactical direction of both ParalympicsGB squads (alongside GB Assistant Coach Steve Caine).  COVID-19 regulations have prevented Haj Bhania accompanying the Men’s Team to Tokyo due to a positive COVID-19 test in the lead up to the Games.

Both ParalympicsGB Teams have planned for and tested extensive COVID-19 continuity plans during preparation camps, as well as for competition in Tokyo. A positive COVID-19 case is a scenario which has been considered and carefully planned for, with the emphasis on ensuring a continuity of performance support for the Teams in Tokyo and the UK. 

The Teams will benefit from a strong and well-equipped support team in place to lead on the ground in Tokyo, consisting of Gaz Choudhry transitioning to the role of the men’s team player/coach, and the women’s team line up remaining unchanged with Simon Fisher as coach of the women’s team. Both teams will continue to be backed by Team Managers and key Sport Science/Sports Medicine practitioners.

The UK based coaching team, consisting of Haj Bhania OBE and Steve Caine, will utilise updated performance analysis software and work with specialist elite performance analysts both in the UK and Tokyo, to inform the ParalympicsGB Teams’ tactical competition strategy in Tokyo.  Investment in technology and working adaptations during the pandemic will further support the enhancement of the Teams’ strategic planning; with video conference meetings, collaborative software and shared performance analysis platforms ensuring that the ParalympicsGB Teams’ progress is not impacted by geographical constraints.

As a GB athlete, Gaz has been a member of the men’s senior squad for over 11 years, winning four European golds and a World Championship title during his career. His accomplished professional playing career has seen Gaz play for top-flight European Clubs, including completing the 2020/21 season with Copa Del Rey winning team BSR Amiab Albacete, as well as being named as MVP twice during the tournament.

As part of the GB Performance Programme, Gaz has competed and trained under Haj Bhania’s considered leadership since 2013 and will undoubtedly also bring his own experience and direction to the Team’s Tokyo performance.

A hugely respected athlete, Gaz was elected into the British Paralympic Association’s Athlete Commission in December 2020, and is a vocal advocate of Paralympic sport. Gaz will be ably supported by two highly experienced co-captains Ian Sagar and Lee Manning, coming together to lead the men’s team throughout the competition.

Commenting on today’s news, British Wheelchair Basketball’s CEO Lisa Pearce said:

“Our first-priority is to ensure the health and wellbeing of our staff team and athletes, as well as the wider Paralympic Community.  I am once again immensely proud of our staff team and athletes, who have seamlessly adopted our COVID-19 continuity plan and transitioned into the new team format.

“I can confirm that Haj is well, but as expected is enormously disappointed to not be supporting the Team from courtside in Tokyo. 

“To see our Team’s arrive in Tokyo is simply a huge achievement.  Preparing for this Paralympic Games has been unlike any other, and we have had to navigate many new and challenging situations under the complex backdrop of COVID-19. We continue to be in awe of the professionalism and empathy with which our athletes and staff team support each other, both courtside and strategically from the UK.”

Gaz Choudhry also added to Lisa’s sentiment:

“It is an honour to be selected to represent your nation, and there is no bigger stage than the Paralympic Games. It is a privilege to have been mentored by a coach of Haj Bhania’s considerable experience and reputation, and to be trusted with the player coach role for the GB Men’s Team. Our preparation programme included the formation of our coaching group and the collaborative process has enabled and prepared me to assume this role.

“This Games has often seemed like a distant dream to all of the athletes who have trained so hard. It has required a huge amount of commitment and sacrifice from each and every player, but also our families and our performance support teams. However, I believe these challenges have only served to fuel our fire and drive our ambition to get on court in Tokyo. I look forward to continuing to be guided and mentored by Haj and the Performance Team as we head to Tokyo and with the support of the athletes and world class support staff here give our best possible performance”

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe commented:

“My heart goes out to Haj who I know was deeply committed and keen to continue his fantastic work with the team out in Tokyo. However, thorough and considered planning by British Wheelchair Basketball means that Haj remains a terrific asset to the team, while Gaz Choudhry – an athlete we all respect and admire – will I know adapt seamlessly to his role as player coach.”

BWB Sanctioned Activity Suspended

Following yesterday’s Government announcements, all British Wheelchair Basketball sanctioned activity in the UK is now suspended with the exception of the Elite Performance Programme (under the Return to Elite Training framework).

Now, as it has always been, safeguarding the health and welfare of our wheelchair basketball community remains our priority. Our membership has shown tremendous resilience during the previous nine months, and their creativity and resourcefulness to stay active throughout has been truly inspiring.

The BWB team are now busy pulling together a schedule of activities, as well as the return of the BWB Virtual Club, that our members can access from their homes, either as welcome breaks from home schooling/working or to support New Year health and fitness plans.

We know that the next few weeks and months will be challenging, as well as potentially isolating for some members of our community. So now, more than ever, we need to come together to really celebrate our sport and collectively support each other during this lockdown.

Over the coming days we will be sharing with each BWB member a short poll/survey regarding online activities that we can make available to our membership. We would value hearing about what our members have enjoyed over the last nine months, what they would like to see more of (and less of) and also any ideas for workshops, groups, activities that we have not yet offered.

We will also be sharing information with our clubs regarding any funding or grants that they are able to access, as well as being on hand to help guide them through the process.

Over the coming weeks we will also build in communications and workshops around mental health and wellbeing, but in the meantime for anyone that might need some help and support at the moment we have a webpage that has some helpful links and information https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/mental-health-wellbeing/

We feel very hopeful that we will see wheelchair basketball returning to our courts later in the year, but in the meantime we would like thank our membership for their support and drive as we navigate the next few months.