It’s been a successful August for the Wales Wheelchair Basketball teams, with all three age groups achieving their best ever performances to date.
On the first weekend of August, Wales U15’s and U19’s travelled to Worcester for the Annual Lord’s Taverners National Junior Championships.
The U15’s showed just how far they have developed by battling through a tough group to secure themselves a place in the semi finals, the first time a Welsh team has ever reached that stage. The team finished in 4th place, their highest ever finish in the competition.
Not to be outdone, the U19s also progressed through their group, facing up against some of the best sides in the country to secure a place in the 5th-8th play off. Some strong performances on the second day saw Wales finish in 5th place, two places higher than their previous attempt and also record their highest ever finish. The U19’s now travel to Manchester for the UK School Games next week.
U19 coach, Mark Richards said “We had some tough games in the pool stages and were disappointed to finish fourth, giving us a very tough quarter final, but the squad responded well with some mature displays that allowed us to secure 5th place overall. The match experience in Worcester has given us a good foundation ahead of the UK School Games where we hope to sustain the level of basketball that will allow us to challenge the top regions in the UK.”
The following weekend saw Wales U23’s fly to Belfast for the Celtic Cup, a competition battled out by Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Scotland have dominated the competition in recent years but after an opening victory against Northern Ireland Wales went on to record their first ever win against Scotland and put them in pole position going into day two. A confident Wales side went on to record two more wins and win the Celtic Cup for the first time ever.
U23 Head coach Caroline Matthews said “I am thrilled that Wales have been crowned Celtic Cup champions for the 1st time, which reflects the improving standards of wheelchair basketball in the Welsh clubs”
Welsh U23 captain Harri Jenkins was thrilled to win the competition stating “The game went really well, all of the team managed to contribute in some way which made the victory a team effort. I am extremely proud of both the performances as a team, but also of the players. The performance against Scotland this morning was exceptional, we were challenged by an outstanding Scottish team, but we found a way to win, not only the game but the Celtic Cup as a whole. I would like to on behalf of all the players thank the staff that have made this possible, together we have made history for Wales.”
The Welsh Wheelchair Basketball Development programme began in 2014 and is a joint partnership between British Wheelchair Basketball and Disability Sport Wales. One year in, the programme is already showing positive outcomes and performances of the welsh teams was a great way to complete a successful season
Dan Bufton, Welsh Development Officer for British Wheelchair Basketball said “I am delighted to see the teams perform so well this summer and it’s a great reflection of the progress that’s been made in the sport over the last year. With support from British Wheelchair Basketball, Disability Sport Wales and their title sponsor General Dynamics UK we are looking forward to building on this progress and seeing even more success”
