Women's Premier League

British Wheelchair Basketball has today announced that the BBC will show eight games live across the season of the Women’s Premier League.

The deal demonstrates a continued commitment to supporting the prominent representation of the female para-sport league in the UK. All matches for the 2023/24 season are to be broadcast, either live on the BBC’s digital platforms or through British Wheelchair Basketball’s YouTube channel. Full list available below.

The streaming of the league will enable fans nationwide to keep up to date with the action directly via live broadcasts of the sport, it will also provide a platform to showcase to more disabled people the opportunities available to them in para-sport in the UK.

This season promises to deliver exceptional women’s wheelchair basketball, with the league welcoming Great Britain’s Sophie Carrigill, who has returned from Italy to join East London Phoenix. Loughborough Lightning have also made a big signing, with international wheelchair basketball star and reigning World, Paralympic and European champion Bo Kramer joining the squad this year.

The season got underway in January with a double header opening day with East London Phoenix facing Cardiff Met Archers and last season’s champions Loughborough Lightning taking on Worcester Wolves.

Alongside new talent, the league has also welcomed three former GB athletes into coaching roles across the four Women’s Premier League teams – George Bates, GB World champion will continue as Head Coach of Loughborough Lightning, Ade Orogbemi, three-time GB Paralympian, will commence his first season coaching East London Phoenix and two-time Paralympian Caroline Matthews has recently been announced as part of the Cardiff Met Archers coaching team.

Justine Baynes, British Wheelchair Basketball’s Chief Executive, said:

“We are excited to announce the continuation of the BBC’s commitment to broadcast British Wheelchair Basketball’s Women’s Premier League through making the league more accessible to the public.

“The intention of the league was always to create a week-in week-out elite competition environment for the world’s best female players. We feel privileged to have so many advocates supporting us on our journey to realise this dream. We would like to express our sincerest thanks to the BBC, UK Sport, our Women’s Premier League teams and athletes, High Performance partners and the fans for their continued support.”

Diccon Edwards, British Wheelchair Basketball’s Performance Director added:

“The 2023/24 Women’s Premier League promises to be exceptional with many GB athletes signed across the four franchise teams this season. These athletes will be focused on successful seasons for their teams, but also their own personal training and development in preparation for the 2022 World Championships (to be held in 2023) and 2023 European Championships selection and competition.

“As well as showcasing athlete role models, we are also equally committed to highlighting the impact and importance of coaching excellence through the league. As Performance Director it is a significant moment to welcome a Women’s Premier League season where we have three accomplished former GB athletes adopting elite coaching positions. These individuals will be critical advocates for wheelchair basketball coaches and will draw a national spotlight to the importance of attracting passionate, committed and driven individuals into these vital roles within our sport – from grassroots clubs to elite talent pathway.”

Fixtures and broadcast details for the British Wheelchair Basketball Women’s Premier League: 

29th January 23 – Loughborough Lightning vs Worcester Wolves – 17:00 – Live on BWB YouTube

29th January 23 – East London Phoenix vs Cardiff Met Archers – 15:00 – Live on BWB YouTube

5th February 23 – East London Phoenix vs Loughborough Lightning – 15:00 – Live on BWB YouTube

18th February – Cardiff Met Archers vs Worcester Wolves – 14:00 – Live on BWB YouTube

25th February 23 – Cardiff Met Archers vs Loughborough Lightning – 14:00 – Live on BWB YouTube

26th February 23 – Worcester Wolves vs East London Phoenix – 13:00 – Live on BWB YouTube

5th March 23 – East London Phoenix vs Loughborough Lightning – 15:00 – Live on BWB YouTube

18th March – Cardiff Met Archers vs East London Phoenix – 14:00 – Live on BBC Sport

19th March – Worcester Wolves vs Loughborough Lightning – Live on BWB YouTube

25th March 23 – Worcester Wolves vs Cardiff Met Archers – 16:00 – Live on BBC Sport

1st April 23 – Loughborough Lightning vs Cardiff Met Archers – 13:00 – Live on BWB YouTube

2nd April 23 – East London Phoenix vs Worcester Wolves – 15:00 – Live on BBC Sport

15th April 23 – Worcester Wolves vs East London Phoenix – 16:00 Live on BWB YouTube

15th April 23 – Loughborough Lightning vs Cardiff Met Archers – 18:00 – Live on BBC Sport

29th April 23 – Cardiff Met Archers vs Worcester Wolves – 14:00 – Live on BBC Sport

30th April 23 – Loughborough Lightning vs East London Phoenix – 17:00 – Live on BBC Sport

6th May 23 – Cardiff Met Archers vs East London Phoenix – 14:00 – Live on BBC Sport

7th May 23 – Worcester Wolves vs Loughborough Lightning – 16:00 – Live on BBC Sport

To find out more, visit www.britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/womens-premier-league

Photo credit: Ella Raper

Loughborough Lightning are heading into the 2023 season of the Women’s Premier League as reigning champions, having won the title in the inaugural season last year. Lightning get their campaign underway this Sunday (29th January) as they welcome Worcester Wolves for their season opener.

Head coach George Bates and Assistant Coach James Maudsley look to continue to build on last year’s success with the added motivation of defending their title. The East Midlands based team have welcomed several new players to their line-up, including Netherlands international and Paralympic Games champion Bo Kramer. Anastasia Blease, Maddie Martin, Jess Atherley and Kirsty Taylor head to Lightning this season.

Head Coach George Bates commented:

“Our goals are to defend our title; we want to improve on last year. While we went undefeated, there are still areas we can improve in as a team. But ultimately it is to win the league and win the play offs.

“The team itself is looking great and the atmosphere within the squad is really good, especially because of the addition of a few new players – they have fit in really quickly and everyone made them feel very welcome.

“The signing of Bo Kramer is a real coup, she’s come straight into the team with the exact attitude I would like our players to have and she has elevated the level of play of the squad in the sessions she has been at. I think the approach to training is that we just want to get better every session no matter what that is, whether its nutrition or physio, whatever that is we just want to get better in those areas.

“The team has put in a huge amount of work, players and staff, to achieve that and I am super excited for the season to start and get to see what we get to look like on the floor.”

Captain and GB Women’s Robyn Love commented:

“Our prep has been great, we’re able to really springboard from our undefeated season as National Champions. We are bringing in some great fresh talent, some overseas talent, which we are just so excited about. New year, new opportunity, and a fresh chance to show what Lightning 2023 is all about.

“I am incredibly proud to represent Loughborough Lightning. It was always my dream to be part of this University somehow and I’m so grateful that I am able to play alongside some fantastic players. It was great to be involved in an incredible community last year, our crowd really were our thirteenth player – the thunderstorm was brought!

“I really think every time the opposition came to our home turf, the storm shelter, they really felt it! I’m just so excited to build on that this season with our new players with the community that we have got. Not only that I really do think that the Lightning community has come together this season, with Lightning football and the rugby girls, I feel like we are creating just one team – we really are Team Lightning.”

Lightning play their season opener at home on Loughborough University campus, welcoming Worcester Wolves to the Netball Centre on Sunday (29^th January). Find out more: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/performance/lightning/wheelchair-basketball/fixtures-tickets/

Every Women’s Premier League game will be livestreamed on the British Wheelchair Basketball YouTube channel. The full fixtures list can be found here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/womens-premier-league-2022-23

Worcester Wolves are ready to get their Women’s Premier League campaign underway for the 2023 season, with their first fixture set to take place this Sunday (29^th January) away against Loughborough Lightning.

The team continues to build into the new season with Simon Fisher as head coach, Adam McMullen as Assistant Coach and Faye Bingham as Team Manager.

Simon Fisher commented:

“Our intentions remain the same as last year: to develop the players individually to create a positive environment for players to maximise their ability. As a group we want to be competitive in all games, to enable the group to be better at the end of the season than the start.

“I am pleased we have managed to strengthen the group whilst maintaining the core of the team from last season. As a group, training as been positive during the Autumn and winter periods, focusing on individual & small group development, to ensure players have been training alongside both other Club, Work and Educational commitments.

“The team have been engaging off the court through Strength & Conditioning programmes, as well as some team building activities to ensure we are developing as a group.”

Retired GB player Sarah Hope returns as captain this season. Sarah commented:

“Personally I’ve just been enjoying basketball and enjoying training while adjusting to life after retirement from the GB programme. As a team, we’re picking up where we left off at the end of last season. We’ve seen significant improvements from this time last year and training against the Worcester based men has really upped our game.”

“I absolutely love the Arena and our home crowd. I really enjoyed having the season opener there last season and it’s a massive boost to be back there this season. I’m proud of this team and the Wolves franchise as a whole and really excited to be wearing the blue and orange again.”

The Wolves preparations are almost complete with just days to go until their opening fixture in Loughborough, with the countdown ticking down until their first home game at University of Worcester Arena on Sunday 26^th February. Find out more: https://worcesterwolves.org/

Every Women’s Premier League game will be livestreamed on the British Wheelchair Basketball YouTube channel. The full fixtures list can be found here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/womens-premier-league-2022-23

East London Phoenix are heading into the 2023 season of the BWB Women’s Premier League with determination, having reached the final in their debut during the inaugural season last year. Phoenix get their 2023 season underway with a home game against visitors Cardiff Met Archers on 29^th January at 15:00.

The team have been busy preparing during their pre-season, combining camps at the UEL SportsDock with individual work further afield. Notably, the East London Phoenix team welcomed a new head coach: Ade Orogbemi. Ade is a retired Paralympian who represented GB for several years and achieved success on the international stage.

Ade Orogbemi commented:

“I see myself to be in a position to come in with my experience in wheelchair basketball to help the team reach their full potential. What’s impressed me so far is there are things already in place for the Phoenix to be successful. The players get on very well and the ‘team behind the team’ work very hard so everyone is working together to reach their goal.

“We have just gone through two months of pre-season and team training, working on our fitness both on court and in strength & conditioning sessions. The players have also been involved in individual sessions, developing in the areas of their games that needs sharping up. Now we are going into our last part of preparation which include tactical training, game-like situations and friendly games to help build our team chemistry.

“We have three friendly games organised with teams around the London area: London Titans, High Rollers and Aces. These games will help us finalise our preparation and lead us in the right mindset for the start of the season.”

Alongside a new head coach, East London Phoenix welcome several new players to the team. GB Women’s players Sophie Carrigill and Jude Hamer join the ranks, bringing a wealth of experience to the team. Additionally, players Jodie Waite, Debee Steel and youngster Chloe Fiveash will make their debut for East London Phoenix this season.

Debee Steel commented:

“It’s really felt great to get back on the court and in the gym with such an amazing group of women. Pre-season has been a real mix of fitness, skill, strategy and getting to know each other better both on and off court – hopefully hard work will pay off as the season starts.”

“This will be my first season with the Phoenix and I’m excited to play at home in London in SportsDock’s great facility in front of family and friends”

Returning player Alice McHaffie commented on the pre-season preparations:

“In my personal preparation for this season I have been doing many things on and off court such as I have been getting in the gym and keeping up with my S&C as well as cooking lots of nutritious meals as I wanted to try out new recipes in the new year. On court I have been working individually with my coach to work on some things to help in the 2023 season and as a team we have all come together to training to play as a team ready for the 2023 season.”

“I am so excited to be in front of the SportsDock crowd, even more now I am a student here as my university friends can come support and see the games. I hope many people show to support us in our 2023 season. I am so looking forward to representing Phoenix again and developing from last season.”

East London Phoenix are set to put on a display of thrilling basketball action this season at the UEL SportsDock. Find out more: https://www.uel.ac.uk/study/student-life/sport/scholarships/east-london-phoenix

Every Women’s Premier League game will be livestreamed on the British Wheelchair Basketball YouTube channel. The full fixtures list can be found here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/womens-premier-league-2022-23/

Cardiff Met Archers have been hard at work on their preparations for the upcoming Women’s Premier League season. Archers get their 2023 season underway with an away game against East London Phoenix on 29^th January at 15:00.

Head Coach Tom Guntrip is joined by retired Paralympian Caroline Matthews MBE. Caroline was involved with the team in the 2022 season in camps and Cardiff Met BUCS training, and is a key component of their campaign this season.

Head Coach Tom Guntrip commented:
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Caroline so far. Her experience in the game is almost unparalleled, she’s been passing on knowledge and advice to players and myself, and she’s keen to learn from my thoughts and experiences as well.”

(On Rosie Williams’ departure) Rosie worked tirelessly on behalf of the programme and did a lot of great things that we are looking forward to building on. She showed passion and dedication in the way she worked, and we wish her all the best for the future.”

Looking ahead to the 2023 season, the Cardiff Met Archers are determined to deliver a strong performance on and off the court:

“We are looking to compete in and win every game we play, but fundamentally we are focused more on developing our processes and ensuring that we play a consistent way that not only sets us up for immediate success but also develops our players along the performance pathway and contributes to long-term success for GB and the individuals.

“We want them to feel valued as players and as people, and to benefit from all the support we place around them, from nutrition and Strength & Conditioning to performance analysis and psychology. We’ve been working hard over recent months at building our off-court support structures, and the staff we have assembled behind the scenes have been excellent.

“The nature of the team means that while we don’t get to see everyone multiple times a week, we know that everyone has been working hard wherever they are based. Some athletes have been with GB, some are based in Cardiff with multiple Strength and Conditioning and on-court sessions a week, and those further away have S&C plans in place and are playing for their local sides, but overall, we are very excited to get started.

“Camps have been full of hard work and commitment so far, and with the team being so young and full of potential, there has been a real drive to increase their skill level and prepare themselves for the biggest stage they can.”

The Archers line-up has shaped up over the last few weeks with new arrivals Brooke Mottram and Sam Hill joining the team.

Ella Archer returns to the court for the Welsh side, having been an integral part of the squad last season:

“Preparations for the second Women’s Premier League season have been going strong! I am feeling very prepared to get back on the court and play with my teammates once again. I’m feeling fit, strong, and mentally prepared.

“I’m so excited to get back on the court at the Archers arena. Nothing beats the support of a home crowd and especially an Archer’s crowd! They helped us and supported us through many games last season, so we can’t wait to have them carry us on the court again.”

Fans can expect exciting, fast-paced action at the Archers Arena this season as the Cardiff side continues to build. Find out more: https://archers.basketball/

Every Women’s Premier League game will be livestreamed on the British Wheelchair Basketball YouTube channel. The full fixtures list can be found here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/womens-premier-league-2022-23/

After a hugely successful inaugural season last year, the Women’s Premier League will return in January 2023. The four teams taking to the courts are Cardiff Met Archers, East London Phoenix, Loughborough Lightning, and Worcester Wolves.

Loughborough Lightning were crowned champions at last year’s National Championship Finals, having defeated East London Phoenix in the thrilling conclusion to the season. Worcester Wolves took third place in the 3^rd/4^th playoff against Cardiff Met Archers. Each team has been working hard in the off-season into the pre-season, with their sights set firmly on claiming the title.

Each team will play each other three times across the regular season. Every game will be livestreamed, with broadcast information set to be released in due course.

The league officially gets underway on the 29^th of January, with all four teams in action. East London Phoenix gets us underway as they host Cardiff Met Archers at 3pm, and Worcester Wolves travel to Loughborough Lightning for a 5pm tipoff.

Women’s Premier League 2023 season full fixtures (subject to change):

Date	Home	Away	Tip	Venue
29th January 2023	Loughborough Lightning	Worcester Wolves	17:00	Netball Centre, Towers Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TS
29th January	East London Phoenix	Cardiff Met Archers	15:00	SportsDock, 4-6 University Way, London, E16 2RD
5th February	East London Phoenix	Loughborough Lightning	15:00	SportsDock, 4-6 University Way, London, E16 2RD
18th February	Cardiff Met Archers	Worcester Wolves	14:00	Archers Arena, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff, CF23 6XD
25th February 23	Cardiff Met Archers	Loughborough Lightning	14:00	Archers Arena, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff, CF23 6XD
26th February	Worcester Wolves	East London Phoenix	13:00	University of Worcester Arena, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JN
18th March	Cardiff Met Archers	East London Phoenix	14:00	Archers Arena, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff, CF23 6XD
19th March	Worcester Wolves	Loughborough Lightning	13:00	University of Worcester Arena, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JN
24th March	East London Phoenix	Loughborough Lightning	19:00	SportsDock, 4-6 University Way, London, E16 2RD
25th March	Worcester Wolves	Cardiff Met Archers	16:00	University of Worcester Arena, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JN
1st April	Loughborough Lightning	Cardiff Met Archers	13:00	Netball Centre, Towers Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TS
2nd April	East London Phoenix	Worcester Wolves	15:00	SportsDock, 4-6 University Way, London, E16 2RD
15th April	Loughborough Lightning	Cardiff Met Archers	18:00	Netball Centre, Towers Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TS
15th April	Worcester Wolves	East London Phoenix	16:00	University of Worcester Arena, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JN
29th April	Cardiff Met Archers	Worcester Wolves	14:00	Archers Arena, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff, CF23 6XD
30th April	Loughborough Lightning	East London Phoenix	17:00	Netball Centre, Towers Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TS
6th May	Cardiff Met Archers	East London Phoenix	14:00	Archers Arena, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff, CF23 6XD
7th May	Worcester Wolves	Loughborough Lightning	16:00	University of Worcester Arena, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JN

Find out more about the teams below:

Cardiff Met Archers: https://archers.basketball/

East London Phoenix: https://www.uel.ac.uk/study/student-life/sport/scholarships/east-london-phoenix

Loughborough Lightning: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/performance/lightning/wheelchair-basketball/

Worcester Wolves: https://worcesterwolves.org/