The Under 15’s Wales Wheelchair Basketball team met Ken Skates, Deputy Sport Minister at the Senedd in Cardiff today. The Under 15’s along with the Under 19’s and Under 23’s Wheelchair basketball teams will be representing Wales this year in a number of competitions.
The sport of Wheelchair Basketball was adapted from the running game when players injured in World War II adapted to four wheels to continue their enjoyment of the game. Historically there were two clubs in Wales, Cardiff Celts and Jets in North Wales, however through collaborative work between Disability Sport Wales & British Wheelchair Basketball a development plan was introduced in 2007.
With the emergence of more opportunities, and greater demand for the sport, Disability Sport Wales & British Wheelchair Basketball produced a Service Level Agreement that saw greater funding put in place which allowed the appointment of National Development Officer Dan Bufton in a part-time Wheelchair Basketball role in 2014.
In addition, Disability Sport Wales funds the player pathway opportunities, which funds the training, travel, accommodation, kit and competition opportunities for the Under 15s, Under 19s & Under 23s programme.
As the official partner of the Academy, General Dynamics United Kingdom are now the title sponsors of the Welsh representative teams.
The Under 15s & Under 19s will be competing at the Lord Taverners National Junior Championships at the University of Worcester Arena over the weekend of August 1st & 2nd. The following weekend will see the Under 23s team compete in the annual Celtic Cup, this year being held in Belfast with Wales hosting in 2016. In September, the Under 19s compete at the Sainsbury’s School Games in Manchester (3rd to 6th of September).
The highlight of 2015 will be the European Championships which will take place at the University of Worcester Arena from the 28th of August through to the 6th of September. Wales will have two representatives in the team with well-established player Clare Griffiths (nee Strange) taking her place in the Women’s team. Clare (Newport) has represented GB at the last 4 Paralympic Games. Meanwhile newcomer Phillip Pratt (Newport) will be in the Men’s team, as he aspires to represent GB at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Jo Richards, British Wheelchair Basketball Development Director:
“British Wheelchair Basketball have a strong partnership with Disability Sport Wales and we work closely together to develop the game in Wales. We value the ongoing support from DSW and look forward to future developments”
Jon Morgan, Chief Executive Disability Sport Wales
“Disability Sport Wales are pleased with the progress that wheelchair basketball has made in Wales over the last two years. We are delighted to be supporting the development of the squads and we very much hope that they will create an environment from which future GB players will emerge and we wish them every success in their forthcoming competitions.”
