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George Bates named GB Men's Head Coach and Player Development Coach
George Bates has been appointed GB Men’s Head Coach and Player Development Coach for British Wheelchair Basketball.
Following an incredibly competitive recruitment process after the departure of former Head Coaches Bill Johnson and Joey Johnson, George has been named GB Men’s Head Coach and Player Development Coach.
George first picked up the sport in 2007 with Leicester Cobras, and soon developed his skills to a world-class level earning a place on the GB U23 Men’s team at the 2013 IWBF U23 World Championships. His senior debut would soon follow in 2017, and he would go on to make history with the team by claiming Great Britain’s first ever World Championship gold in 2018.
As a coach, George recently held the role of Assistant Coach for triple-crown champions Netherlands (Paralympic, World, and European Champions). He led them at the 2025 European Championships, where they retained their title. Elsewhere, George has coached Team UK at two Invictus Games (2023, 2025), and coached the GB U25 Women to silver at the 2023 IWBF U25 World Championships in Thailand.
At home, George has coached Loughborough Lightning to three Women’s Premier League titles and has developed talented players in the BUCS league as Head Coach for Loughborough University.
George commented on his appointment:
“Being appointed GB Men’s Head Coach and Player Development Coach feels a bit like a full circle moment for me, and I am proud to have been given the opportunity to lead this group of players.
“I truly believe we have the most talented squad in the world and I’m looking forward to harnessing that talent, working towards winning tournaments and developing the wider squad.
“Everybody knows what this team means to me, and I can’t wait to get back to the court and get to work.”
Kevin Currell, Performance Director at British Wheelchair Basketball, commented:
“I am excited that George will be joining the performance team as GB Men’s Head Coach and Player Development Coach. We had a rigorous recruitment process with a number of excellent candidates, where George showed his exceptional skills and abilities as a coach.
“Alongside being Head Coach for the GB Men, this role also covers coaching across the wider performance programme as Player Development Coach. This is a vital move for the organisation it directly connects our senior teams to the pathway, increasing our overall coaching capacity at the highest level.
“We have an exciting summer ahead as our journey to Ottawa takes an important step forward with this appointment, and we look forward to George getting started with the squad.”
George will take up the role in May, following the conclusion of the BWB Women’s Premier League and National League.
GB Men will be competing at the 2026 IWBF World Championships in Ottawa, Canada, following their successful qualification via the 2025 European Championships.
Image: BWB / Ahmedphotos
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