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In the opener on our final day of Commonwealth Games 3×3 action, Northern Ireland took the win 10-7 against South Africa in the 5/6^th place playoff match. The team has had a journey to be proud of, earning their way to Birmingham 2022 in a dramatic final at the IWBF European qualifier where they won in overtime.

Northern Ireland’s Conn Nagle commented:

“We knew what South Africa would bring to the table as we’ve played them already, so today was just about going out and getting a strong start, putting the game to bed early and show them what we’re all about. We started slowly but we managed to get into a groove to hold them off at the end there, so buzzing to get the win.”

The women’s bronze medal match saw a clash of home nations as England Women took the win 12-10 over Scotland Women in a fiercely competitive game. Both teams featured GB athletes who have played on the international circuit together, as well as in Women’s Premier League, so the crowd was treated to an exciting match-up.

England’s Charlie Moore commented:

“I’m just so proud of our team right now for coming together – I think we’ve done an awesome job throughout this tournament, sticking together as a team. It’s amazing the amount of people who have come out to support us, its really incredible out there.”

Scotland Women finish fourth following their defeat by England, but their resilience and pride has been a motivating and inspiring journey to follow.

Scotland’s Lynsey Speirs commented:  

“We stuck together as a team throughout all of this. We have a mix of experience, and we’ve been helping each other and bringing each other on so I couldn’t be prouder of us. I’m so happy to have been able to perform here in front of all the Scotland fans and family, so, although it wasn’t the result we wanted, I couldn’t be happier.”

In the men’s bronze medal match, England Men’s achieved a 21-point game to stop the clock early against Malaysia and secure the bronze in front of a roaring home crowd. England Men had already played against Malaysia in the pool stages, so they had previous experience of the team heading into the match and used this to their advantage.

Tyler Baines commented:

“Wheelchair basketball has never been at the Commonwealth Games before, and to medal on our first time is unbelievable – a dream come true… We got to 21 points with two seconds left on the clock, and that was our aim, that’s what we wanted to do all tournament, and we did it in our final game.”

A huge congratulations to all athletes and team staff who competed in Birmingham 2022. We’d also like to extend a huge well done to all referees and table officials who worked the 3×3 games, as well as BWB members who volunteered at the Games.

It was a mega Monday at Smithfield for the wheelchair basketball semi-finals, where our medal match fixtures were determined!

First up, Scotland Women were welcomed by the Smithfield crowd as they headed out to play Canada in the first women’s semi-final. The Canadian side took the win 12-5 after a strong first half by the Scottish team. They’ll head into the bronze match.

Next up, England Women had a 8-6 defeat by Australia after a scorching match-up between the two, with the host nation team drawing the loud support of the crowd. With the result of both women’s semi-finals, we’re all set for a home nations bronze medal match as England meet Scotland!

Jade Atkin commented:

“Tough game, tough loss so we’ll catch up and work that out tonight. We could have won if we had a few minutes more! It was just one of those games. It’s made us all the more keen for the bronze medal match – we’re ready come back and at least get a medal!”

In the next session, England Men’s match against Australia went into overtime as both teams were evenly matched on court. In 3×3 ruling, there is no set time limit – whichever team gets 2-points first wins. With England Men landing 1pt within only seconds of overtime beginning, Australia answered with a 2pt shot from across the court and claimed the spot in the final with a 11-12 win. England Men will go through to the bronze medal match where they will meet Malaysia.

Lee Manning commented:

“We couldn’t get it done in front of the amazing home crowd here, but we’ve got a lot to still play for coming in tomorrow to get that bronze medal and show off for the crowd here.

“You can learn a lot from a defeat. I just want to say I’ve got the utmost respect for every single one of [my teammates]. They’ve come out of their shells – the development they’ve shown since the start of the summer is honestly staggering. I’m proud to be part of the team with them.”

Northern Ireland will play in the 5/6 place playoff tomorrow during the first session of the day.

Schedule: https://iwbf.org/2022/07/26/match-schedule-released-for-the-3×3-at-birmingham-2022/

Getting us underway in the first session, host nation England Women’s suffered a 8-13 defeat by Canada in their second game of the pool stages. With this result, England Women finish second in Pool A and will play Australia in the semi-final which takes place tomorrow (1st August).

Joy Haizelden commented:

“It was okay… we didn’t hit some of our shots that we normally make. I think we need to work on spacing the floor a little bit better. We made it through to the semi-finals so that’s all that matters – it’s about ‘survive and advance’!”

Later in the day, Northern Ireland Men had a huge win against Australia in front of a roaring crowd. The Team NI athletes took the victory 9-11 – a fantastic result for the team, but unfortunately the points difference was not enough to secure their place in the semi-final in their highly competitive pool. Team NI Men will play in the 5/6th place playoff.

Nathan McCabe commented:

“We came out putting everything into this game – we just worked together and just played as a team to win.”

Looking toward the semi-finals tomorrow, England Men won their pool 2/2 and will play Australia in the semi-finals. Scotland Women’s completed their pool stages yesterday, and their semi-final opponents were confirmed as Canada following the conclusion of Pool A today.

Team Northern Ireland got their Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games campaign underway today with their opener against Canada. The Canadian team took the win 5-13, and the athletes representing Northern Ireland will rally to prepare ahead of their next fixture tomorrow against Australia.

Matthew Rollston commented:

“We’ll be back. We’ll do game analysis tonight or tomorrow morning – we realise Australia has already beaten [Canada] in a two point game so we’re going to see what we can do to work that out!”

England Men’s had their second fixture against Malaysia where the host nation team secured the win 9-19. A great start for host nation team England Men’s as they go 2/2 in the group stages and are through to the semi-finals in strong form. The semi-finalists will be determined following the conclusion of the group stages, with more matches to come tomorrow (30^th July).

Scotland Women had their first victory of the competition against South Africa, winning their second Pool B game 16-2 in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Scotland Women are through to the semi-finals, with their match-up to be determined tomorrow.

England Women return to the court tomorrow with their second group stage fixture against Canada, looking to impress the Smithfield arena once again.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games officially got started today (29^th July) following a spectacular opening ceremony the night before. Wheelchair basketball marked its first ever appearance in a Commonwealth Games as teams took to the court at Smithfield. This event sees an integrated programme of fixtures, with running game and wheelchair basketball fixtures side-by-side for the crowds to enjoy.

Wheelchair basketball is one of eight para-sports taking place at Birmingham 2022, making a significant moment for sport with the biggest para-sport programme ever seen at a Commonwealth Games.

It was a proud moment for host nation Team England as England Men’s had a 17-2 victory over South Africa in their opener. The crowd were cheering loudly throughout, with both teams making history as the first athletes to compete in a wheelchair basketball fixture at the Commonwealth Games.

Lee Manning commented:

“Lovely to get a win under our belt! The crowd is special here – I haven’t had the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd like this before – it really is overwhelming. Like I said out on court – thank you to everyone that has come to support.”

Back-to-back with the men’s team, England Women’s joined the party with a 1-20 win over Kenya, getting their campaign off to a winning start and gaining valuable on-court familiarity in the fast-paced 3×3 format.

Charlotte Moore commented:

“It was a crazy atmosphere to go out into and play, and obviously it’s the first time it’s been [at the Commonwealth Games] – to have such a great turn out for the first game, we genuinely feel the support and it gave everyone so much energy to go play and enjoy the experience.”

In the evening, Scotland Women’s competition got underway with a hard-fought game against Australia, where the Scottish team were defeated 12-5. Scotland had a huge amount of support from the crowd, who will no doubt be behind them for their next fixtures over the coming days.

Northern Ireland Men’s will have to wait until tomorrow (30^th July) to get their campaign underway, with their first fixture taking place in the evening session.

Image credit: Chris Cox / TUB Podcast

The full fixtures schedule for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball competition has been released.

Team England will be competing in both the Men’s and Women’s competition, having gained qualification automatically through host status. Northern Ireland Men’s and Scotland Women’s both qualified at the IWBF Europe qualifiers earlier this year in April.

Birmingham 2022 will be the first time that wheelchair basketball has been featured in a Commonwealth Games. The 3×3 format of the game is an exciting, fast paced version of the sport and is sure to wow the crowds in Birmingham

Pool A and Pool B get underway on the 29^th of July, with coverage on BBC channels throughout the competition. Each competition day has two sessions, and the final placings will be determined on the 2nd August.

See all wheelchair basketball fixtures here: https://www.birmingham2022.com/schedule/day-by-day

Our Commonwealth Games fanzone is the best place to get all your home nations coverage. Find out more about the teams competing, as well as tracking fixtures and news stories across the Games. Click here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/commonwealth-games-fanzone/

Image credit: Chris Cox / TUB Podcast

The excitement continues to build ahead of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which gets underway on the 29th July.

The athletes representing Northern Ireland Men’s are James MacSorley, Matt Rollston, Nathan McCabe and Conn Nagle. The team will be making history at the Smithfield venue as wheelchair basketball features in the Commonwealth Games for the first time.

Northern Ireland Men’s 3×3 qualified earlier this year at the IWBF Europe 3×3 Commonwealth Games Qualifiers. Their final fixture against Scotland was one of the highlights of the tournament, the outcome decided in the last few seconds of the game with youngster McCabe sinking the winning basket for his team and booking their place at the Games.

Northern Ireland Men’s will join England Men’s in the 3×3 wheelchair basketball competition in Birmingham. Tickets available here: https://tickets.birmingham2022.com/

Image credit: Team England

The men’s and women’s squads set to represent Team England in the 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have been announced this morning.  

The announcement of the team’s today is undoubtedly made even more significant at a home Games, and in what is a historic moment for wheelchair basketball at its inaugural appearance on the Commonwealth Games roster. 

Squads for both the men and women’s England 3×3 will feature four selected players. Athletes have been training extensively over the last year at camps and trials ahead of the Games, preparing themselves for the 3×3 format of the game. 

The men’s 3×3 squad is comprised of seasoned experienced and exciting young talent. GB men’s athlete and two-time Paralympic bronze medallist Lee Manning is set to bring his broad knowledge to the court. Joining Manning on court are Tyler Baines, Charlie McIntyre and Abderrahim Taghrest, three athletes whose technical and tactical skills have earned their way to the Commonwealth Games for their first senior international call-ups. 

England women’s 3×3 team features four GB athletes including Joy Haizelden, Charlie Moore, Amy Conroy and Jade Atkin, who will all bring an energetic style of play ideal for the 3×3 format. This energy combined with their experience at top level competitions is sure to deliver results in front of the home crowd in Birmingham. 

England Talent Manager and Birmingham 2022 Team Leader Justine Lucas commented on the squad announcements:  

“Today is an incredible day as we proudly name the athletes who will represent Team England in the first ever Commonwealth Games 3×3 wheelchair basketball competition. 

 It was fantastic to see so many talented players attend the open trials earlier this year, which made our selection camp fiercely competitive. Both the men and women’s 3×3 teams are getting stuck into the preparation together in the build-up to Birmingham 2022 and we couldn’t be more excited!” 

Team England Women’s Amy Conroy commented: 

“It’s an absolute honour to be selected to represent Team England – I could not be more hyped! When I’ve played in front of a home crowd before it’s been completely electric and gives us serious energy to step it up a level.” 

Team England Men’s Charlie McIntyre commented: 

“It’s quite astonishing really, I’m lost for words. It’s incredible to be selected. I think its going to be an amazing experience with a home crowd, I’ve never played in front of that many people! I think the crowd will make the whole experience better being able to play in front of the crowd and hopefully get them buzzing to see wheelchair basketball.” 

Both Team England squads join the Scotland Women’s 3×3 and Northern Ireland Men’s 3×3 squads in Birmingham as the pool stages get underway at the end of July.  

Ticketing: https://tickets.birmingham2022.com/  

England Men’s 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball squad 

Vest number	Player name	Classification
2	Abderrahim Taghrest	1.0
4	Tyler Baines	3.5
14	Lee Manning	4.5
24	Charlie McIntyre	3.0

England Men’s 3×3 reserves: Pete Cusack and Jake Robinson 

England Women’s 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball squad 

Vest number	Player name	Classification
4	Charlie Moore	1.0
5	Jade Atkin	4.5
10	Amy Conroy	4.0
14	Joy Haizelden	2.5

England Women’s 3×3 reserves: Ellan Fraser and Freya Levy