GB wheelchair basketball teams set to find out fate for Paralympic Games

Now 2012 is upon us, the Great Britain wheelchair basketball team’s preparations for the London 2012 Paralympic Games are in full swing.

On Saturday 21st January Great Britain will discover who their opponents will be in the opening matches of the Paralympic Games, as the IWBF draw to decide which pools the teams will be placed will take place at the Waterside Theatre, in Aylesbury.

All 22 teams (12 men’s and 10 women’s) have now qualified from their world zones, these include powerhouses such as USA, Canada and Australia. The draw is vitally important for Great Britain, as a home nation as they get to choose which pool they would like to be placed.

The evening is one of celebration and will provide the opportunity to meet the GB Men’s European Championship winning team and the European Bronze winning GB women’s team whilst enjoying some insights from players as they prepare for London 2012.

Whilst during the day there will be plenty of action to be seen as four of the best wheelchair basketball teams in the UK will take to the court to play Super League matches at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.

The teams will include a number of players from the GB men squad who are all London 2012 hopefuls such as the likes of paralympians Simon Munn, Ade Orogbemi, Abdi Jama and Peter Finbow. London based club, Capital City will take on Sheffield Steelers in the first match at 11.30am followed by current Super League Champions, RGK Rhinos, facing Tameside Owls at 14.30pm. All matches are free to spectators.

British Wheelchair Basketball Chairman, Malcolm Tarkenter, said “We are delighted to be able to both fund and host the draw with support from UK Sport. We see it as one of the most important milestones in the run up to London 2012 as both team look to plan the their best pathway to the knock out stages.”