Northern Irish wheelchair basketball athletes selected to represent GB at IWBF European Championships 2025
By Steven Crawford
Copyright belfastlive
The line-up for the GB Men and Women’s teams at the IWBF European Championships 2025 has been announced by British Wheelchair Basketball, the UK’s governing body for the sport. The tournament is set to kick off in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Friday 10th October, running until Saturday 18th October. The GB Men’s team, who went undefeated at the 2023 European Championships, are aiming to replicate their success this year. Coaches Bill Johnson and Joey Johnson have been working tirelessly to ensure the squad is ready for the challenge, following their silver medal win at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Meanwhile, the GB Women’s team is hoping to build on their silver medal from the 2023 European Championships, under the expert guidance of Head Coach Miguel Vaquero Maestre and Assistant Coach Jorge Borba. Belfast-born player James was first introduced to wheelchair basketball by his parents, who took him to his local club, the NI Knights in Antrim. He made his senior debut at the 2018 World Championships, helping the GB Men’s team secure a historic World title. James also made history at Birmingham 2022, representing Team Northern Ireland in the first ever appearance of wheelchair basketball at a Commonwealth Games. He made his Paralympic debut at the delayed Tokyo 2020 games, where he won a Bronze medal. James, a Queen’s University Belfast alumnus, was honoured with the Allstate NI Queen’s Graduate of the Year Award for 2023. He had previously graduated from the same university in 2017, earning a degree in Law with Spanish. Upon his selection, James expressed: “I’m very excited to be back, selected for the European Championships. I didn’t make the squad for the Paralympics last year which was very disappointing, and I just love being around this group. I love representing British Wheelchair Basketball and I’m looking forward to competing at the highest level. Honestly my favourite part of this is just being part of a group of lads that I love, and love being around.” Speaking about representing Northern Ireland, he said: “[On representing Northern Ireland] I love it. What fills me with pride is the fact that there was a point in time that I was a young player wondering if people would be able to do this, to be one of the people that have opened the door for the next generation of Irish and Northern Irish athletes so that they can compete the highest level is amazing.” He added: “It’s a credit to Disability Sport Northern Ireland and all the clubs back home that have developed talent, but Katie Morrow opened the door being the first Northern Irish wheelchair basketball athlete to compete at a senior level. Being able to follow that and hopefully have people follow me is a real sort of honour, and something I don’t take for granted. I love the fact that there’s people that sound like us in these squads, it’s great!”. Former record-breaking competitive swimmer, Katie from Ballyclare, took up the sport in 2013. She made her Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 as the youngest member of the squad and was part of the history-making team that achieved GB Women’s highest ever finish of fourth. After a hiatus from international competition, Katie made a comeback in 2023 and secured silver at the U25 World Championships before representing GB at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Upon her selection, Katie expressed: “I feel incredibly proud and honoured to be selected to represent Great Britain at the European Championships. Wearing the GB jersey is always special, and to be given the opportunity to compete against the best in Europe is both exciting and motivating. It’s a chance to showcase all the hard work that’s gone in over the past months. “Our preparations have been intense and focused-we’ve been working hard on both individual skills and team cohesion. Training camps and practice games have given us the chance to fine-tune our systems and build that trust and connection on court. “My family and friends have been my backbone throughout this journey. From the early days of training and travel to now competing at the highest level, they’ve always been there to encourage me, pick me up after setbacks, and celebrate the successes. I wouldn’t be where I am without their love, patience, and belief in me. “As well as the pride of wearing the GB vest, it’s really special to represent my hometown of Ballyclare, Northern Ireland Academy and Knights Wheelchair basketball club. With the support of my basketball family, my coach Danny Cooper and all the incredible staff at the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland (SINI) they’ve continued to help me grow as an athlete and as a person. To carry their support with me onto the European stage makes the experience even more meaningful.”