GBU25

Cover photo: BWB / SA Images

In a competitive final against reigning champions USA, GB Women U25 claimed Silver at the 2023 IWBF Women’s U25 World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.  

After a slight delay to the competition due to venue challenges, the squad delivered superb performances in their pool stages which highlighted the strength of the team. Claiming the win over Australia, China and Spain, the squad’s only defeat in the pool stage was against USA.

In the quarter-finals, GB Women U25 had a comprehensive victory over Japan and earned their place in a heated semi-final against Spain. In the Gold medal game, USA took the win 72:49.

Katie Morrow was named in the All-Star Five, as voted on by all teams taking part in the tournament.

A huge congratulations and safe travels home to all players and staff from everyone at British Wheelchair Basketball.

It’s almost time for the IWBF U25 World Championship to begin in Bangkok, Thailand and the GB Women U25 squad is ready for the challenges ahead.

The 2023 edition of the competition will consist of ten teams competing across two pools before heading into a knockout phases and placing games. The Championship gets underway on October 3^rd, with the final taking place on October 9^th. All games will be streamed via IWBF’s YouTube channel.

Head Coach George Bates commented:

“Prep is going really well; we’ve got a really tight group. They’re binding the ideas of how we want to play so looking forward to seeing what they can do when we’re out there.

“I think we’ve got a real good blend of experienced players, so a lot of these players have played this summer in major competitions for the senior team, and then we’ve got a really good core of younger players coming through. I’m looking forward to seeing how that experience and fresh ideas merge together and go out there play the way that we want to play.”

GB Women U25 fanzone: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/iwbf-womens-u25-world-championship/

Alongside the GB Women U25 heading out, a special shoutout goes to BWB Official Jan Timms who has been selected as a IWBF Games Commissioner for the Championship.

The twelve wheelchair basketball athletes representing U25 GB Women at the upcoming IWBF Women’s U25 World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, have been announced. 

The stacked squad features six players who recently competed for the senior GB Women’s team during their busy summer schedule in the unusual circumstances of having a IWBF World Championships and European Championships in the same year. Jade Atkin, Lucy Robinson and Maddie Martin competed in both majors. Adele Atkin and Ellan Fraser featured for GB Women at Worlds. Anastasia Blease made her senior debut at the European Championships 2023 where the GB Women booked their ticket to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

Throughout the U25 squad, the strength of the BWB Women’s Premier League shines through as all selected players feature on the rosters of all four WPL franchise teams.  

Representing GB U25 is a crucial development opportunity, with several of the current Women’s senior players having worn the vest. Jade Atkin, Adele Atkin, and Lucy Robinson were part of the Junior squad at the 2019 IWBF Women’s U25 World Championships who claimed Bronze.  

Paralympian Katie Morrow was the youngest player on the Rio 2016 GB Women’s squad and brings key experience to the team. 

George Bates, a seasoned wheelchair basketball player and coach having competed for GB Men and coached Loughborough Lightning to back-to-back WPL titles, has been named as Head Coach for the U25 GB Women’s side.  

Name	Classification	Women’s Premier League
Adele Atkin	1.0	Cardiff Met Archers
Niamh Watson	1.0	Cardiff Met Archers
Jodie Waite	1.0	East London Phoenix
Kayli English	2.0	Loughborough Lightning
Ellan Fraser	3.0	Worcester Wolves
Maddie Martin	3.0	Loughborough Lightning
Anastasia Blease	3.5	Loughborough Lightning
Holly Lounds	3.5	Loughborough Lightning
Alice McHaffie	4.0	East London Phoenix
Katie Morrow	4.5	Cardiff Met Archers
Jade Atkin	4.5	Cardiff Met Archers
Lucy Robinson	4.5	Loughborough Lightning

The IWBF Women’s U25 World Championships take place October 3^rd through to October 9^th in Bangkok, Thailand. The competition features ten countries, with GB getting their campaign underway in Pool A against USA, Australia, Spain and China. 

More information: https://iwbf.org/event/2023-womens-u25-world-championship/  

Fixtures: https://hosted.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/IWBF/en/competition/36804/schedule