GB

Two-time Paralympian and World Silver Medallist Robyn Love has announced her retirement from international duty in wheelchair basketball.

GB Women’s Robyn Love has called time on her extensive international career, having dedicated a decade of her life to the highest level of the sport.

A natural leader on the court, Robyn has been a stalwart of the sport for ten years having first played in 2013. An instant connection with the sport ensued – within one year of playing, Robyn was on the Performance radar and soon earned her first international call up in 2015 to assist the GB Women’s senior team to Silver in the Osaka Cup, Japan.

Closely following her first appearance in the European Championships in 2016 and securing qualification, Robyn made her Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 and assisted the team to a historic fourth place finish. With GB Women, Robyn would go on to claim Silver at the 2018 World Championships, Silver at the 2019 European Championships, 7^th Place at Tokyo 2020. Robyn captained the side to Silver at the 2021 European Championships, joint-highest ever achievement for the GB Women in a European Championships.

No stranger to marking milestones in the sport, Robyn made history at Birmingham 2022 in the first ever appearance of wheelchair basketball in a Commonwealth Games, proudly leading Team Scotland – a dream come true to represent her hometown of Ayr. In 2022, Robyn captained Loughborough Lightning as they won the first ever BWB Women’s Premier League title.

Most recently, a milestone was marked in her personal life as Robyn and partner and GB Women’s athlete Laurie Williams welcomed baby Alba into the world.

Robyn commented on her retirement from the international stage of wheelchair basketball:

“Wheelchair basketball for me is more than the game, it’s the people, the experience, the joy that it has brought me over the years and will continue to bring me.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to represent Great Britain, something that I never thought possible. Growing up with a disability, I never knew I could play sport at the highest level. When I saw it during the London 2012 Paralympics, I knew that that was what I was meant to do. Four years later, I was doing it.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way and I’m so grateful for the opportunity that this sport has given me. We’ve created a legacy over the past ten years and one that I know the squad are going to build on going forward. Wheelchair basketball for women has grown so much, not only in this country but around the world, and I’m excited to see the progress of the women’s game, something that I hope I’ll still have a part in through the next kind of journey in my life.”

Diccon Edwards, Performance Director at British Wheelchair Basketball, commented:

“It has been evident ever since I started in the role the significant impact Robyn has had in the sport. Her passion and commitment to the GB team have always stood out and she has always led by example in her drive for success for the GB team.

“Whilst I know this has been a hard decision for her, she can be extremely proud of everything she has achieved and am confident she will have success in whatever she chooses to do next. She has been the inspiration for so many players, and I know she will continue to support and promote the game. Though she is retiring from GB, I am keen that she continues to develop as a coach and share her knowledge and experience to the next generation of players and I look forward to supporting her in the future.”

Robyn is set to continue playing domestically, building on success at Loughborough Lightning, alongside developing her skills in coaching. All at BWB wish all the best to Robyn for the next chapter, and a huge congratulations for her GB career.

In Spain, the BSR held its Copa del Rey competition in Madrid. In the opening stages, CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater) won 79:54 over Fundacion FDI-V.Leganes. Gregg Warburton had 10 points, 3 assists and 6 rebounds. Terry Bywater was game leader on assists with 10 assists and had 17 points and 6 rebounds.

Amiab Albacete (Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Lee Manning, Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt) had a comprehensive 113:60 victory over Fundacion Aliados. Harry Brown had 7 points, 1 assist and 2 rebounds. Ben Fox had 9 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Lee Manning had 25 points, 4 assists and 8 rebounds. Phil Pratt had 20 points, 9 assists and 1 rebound.

UCAM Murcia (Lee Fryer) won 64:71 against Econy Gran Canaria. Lee Fryer was game leader on assists with 9 assists, team leader on points with 21 points, and had 11 rebounds.

Bidaideak Bilbao (James MacSorley) had a 79:72 victory against Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Kyle Marsh, Lewis Edwards, Peter Cusack). For Bidaideak Bilbao, James MacSorley had 6 points and 3 rebounds. For Amivel Reyes Gutierrez, Abdi Jama had 6 points and 1 assist. Kyle Marsh was team leader on assists with 6 assists and had 15 points and 4 rebounds.

GB players featured across all four teams in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. In a high-scoring game, Bidaideak Bilbao (James MacSorley) narrowly took the win 75:76 against CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater). For Bidaideak Bilbao, James MacSorley had 4 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound. For CD Ilunion, Gregg Warburton was team leader on assists with 10 assists, and had 14 points and 2 rebounds. Terry Bywater had 19 points, 8 assists and 3 rebounds.

Amiab Albacete (Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Lee Manning, Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt) delivered a comprehensive performance against UCAM Murcia (Lee Fryer) to claim their place in the Copa Del Rey final, winning 73:43. For Amiab Albacete, Harry Brown had 1 point and 1 assist. Ben Fox had 8 points, 2 assists and 11 rebounds. Lee Manning had 18 points and 6 rebounds. Phil Pratt was game leader on assists with 9 assists, and had 8 points and 8 rebounds. For UCAM Murcia, Lee Fryer was team leader on points and assists with 11 points and 4 assists, and had 6 rebounds.

In the playoff for 3^rd/4^th place, CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater) had a 71:77 victory over UCAM Murcia (Lee Fryer). For CD Ilunion, Gregg Warburton was game leader on assists with 8 assists, and had 7 points and 6 rebounds. Terry Bywater was team leader on points with 21 points, and had 4 assists and 4 rebounds. For UCAM Murcia, Lee Fryer had 25 points, 5 assists and 10 rebounds.

In the exciting final of the Copa del Rey, Bidaideak Bilbao (James MacSorley) claimed the title for a second year in a row by defeating current BSR league leaders Amiab Albacete (Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Lee Manning, Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt) 72:80. For Bidaideak Bilbao, James MacSorley had 6 points, 1 assist and 4 rebounds. For Amiab Albacete, Ben Fox had 3 points and 1 rebound. Lee Manning was game leader on rebounds with 12 rebounds, and had 8 points and 1 assist. Phil Pratt was team leader on points and assists with 23 points and 9 assists, and had 5 rebounds.

A dramatic conclusion to the season took place in Germany as RSV Lahn-Dill (Simon Brown) entered into the finals against rivals Thuringia Bulls. RSV Lahn-Dill needed to win both games to secure the championship. In the first game, RSV Lahn-Dill won 63:67. In the second game, Thuringia Bulls took the victory 76:65.

At home in the BWB National League, Manchester Revolution (Martin Edwards, Sophie Carrigill) defeated Mohawks 40:56. For Manchester Revolution, Martin Edwards had 12 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Sophie Carrigill had 3 rebounds.

London Titans (Jack Perry, Jude Hamer) won 75:61 over CWBA. For London Titans, Jack Perry had 30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Jude Hamer had 1 rebound.

EuroCup 2023: https://www.iwbf-europe.org/

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

German League: https://rollstuhlbasketball.de/

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

BWB Women’s Premier League: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/womens-premier-league-2022-23/

Photo credit: Rika Vandenbroucke

Competing against five other nations – Australia, Canada, Italy, The Netherlands and Türkiye – the GB Men’s team won all four of their games including the final against Australia.

The Easter Tournament was the first competition for Bill Johnson and Joey Johnson as the GB Men’s coaching team, having been appointed at the start of April.

All GB Men’s players had court time across the tournament – a crucial development opportunity ahead of the back-to-back majors later this year. Performances across the three-day competition highlighted the quality and strength of the depth within the squad.

In their first game, GB Men won 46:61 against The Netherlands. In their second game, GB Men won 72:41 against Canada. In their third game, GB Men won 52:70 over Türkiye. On the final day of the competition, GB Men won 58:43 against a strong Australia side.

Coach Joey Johnson commented:

“The weekend was a great success for us. We had an opportunity to see multiple lineups while also having a chance to 14 deep. The win is a testament to the depth of the programme as well as the skill level.”

Coach Bill Johnson commented:

“It was a great first step for this group as we enter a busy summer of competition. The players were focused and prepared, and the results showed that.”

Catch up on the action from the Easter Tournament here with both livestreams and stats: https://iwbf.org/event/2023-easter-tournament-wheelchair-basketball/

Bill Johnson and Joey Johnson have been announced as the GB Men’s coaches ahead of the Belgium Easter Tournament – a crucial appointment ahead of the IWBF World Championships in June, European Championships in August, and the ambitious Paris strategy.

Brothers Bill and Joey bring extensive experience and will work collaboratively as the GB Men’s coaching team. Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada, Bill and Joey are set to deliver world class coaching with their first competition taking place in Belgium this month.

Bill’s significant experience in coaching includes leading Canada as coach to become World Champions at the Toronto 2014 Women’s World Championships, bronze at the 2010 Women’s World Championships in Birmingham, and two Paralympic Games (6^th at London 2012, 5^th at Rio 2016).

Joey is a decorated retired Paralympian representing Canada, having won three gold (London 2012, Athens 2004, Sydney 2000) and one silver (Beijing 2008), and 2006 World Champion at the IWBF World Championship held in Amsterdam. A natural leader, Joey was the captain of RSV-Lahn Dill during his time in the German league. Joey has an existing history of working with BWB, having been an Assistant Coach with the performance teams in 2016-2017.

On his appointment, Bill commented:

“It is a great honour to receive this appointment and to now be a part of the British Wheelchair Basketball family. Great Britain has a fantastic group of athletes, and I am quite excited to be a part of their journey through to the Paris Paralympics next summer.”

On his appointment, Joey commented:

“It is exciting to back with the team. To get to work with this great group of athletes is a tremendous opportunity. I look forward to, and will embrace, the challenges that lay ahead.”

Diccon Edwards, Performance Director, commented:

“It is brilliant that we have been able to bring Bill and Joey in to lead the GB Mens programme. They both have significant experience of winning on the world stage and an ability to create high performing teams.

“What really stood out in the process was their belief in the importance of teamwork and this aligns directly with the vision of the programme. They are both outstanding coaches and great people who I know will enable a positive environment for the players to be successful.”

The GB Men are in action at the Easter Tournament in Belgium, taking place 7^th-9^th April: https://iwbf.org/event/2023-easter-tournament-wheelchair-basketball/

Squad for Easter Tournament: