The recently formed Masters GB Wheelchair marked a significant milestone at the weekend as two teams took to the court for the very first time – GB Blue and GB Red.
Hosted by Help for Heroes in Bath, it was a really proud and important moment for everyone involved, giving players their first opportunity to get on court together, since the programme’s launch in August 2025.
UWE Pirates Inspire League team joined two Help for Heroes teams in a day was played in great spirits throughout. Across all fixtures, there was a strong sense of camaraderie, with plenty of good-natured banter and genuine support between teams. The atmosphere reflected the true values of the game, with competitivity balanced with full respect and encouragement on and off the court.
A big thank you goes to Mobility in Motion, who supported the event by providing all players with a goodie bag, as well as kitting out the GB teams with their shirts for the tournament – a great keepsake of their journey so far.
After a win a piece in the morning, GB Red and GB Blue went head-to-head in in the “Lunchtime Derby.” The match delivered a brilliant game, played at a really high standard, with quick ball movement, intelligent spacing, and great decision-making on show. Despite GB Red holding a halftime lead, it was GB Blue who took the win 35-26, but the game gave a really good glimpse of what this group can become and where the masters programme is heading.
Despite being the first time they have played together, across the remaining fixtures, both teams showed great cohesions, alongside clear areas for development as Coach Andy was able to try out different combinations and tactics. The variety of opposition provided valuable challenges, helping the GB players build game awareness, communication, and on-court chemistry.
The results showed some strong performances from both GB sides, but the main focus is very much on development. With players still getting to know each other and adapting to each others, there’s no doubt this squad will continue their strong progress.
Results:
- UWE Pirates 4 – 24 GB Red
- Help for Heroes (Rugby) 4 – 26 GB Blue
- Help for Heroes (Basketball) 16 – 9 UWE Pirates
- GB Blue 35 – 26 GB Red
- Help for Heroes (Basketball) 8 – 22 Help for Heroes (Rugby)
- GB Blue 34 – 6 UWE Pirates
- Help for Heroes (Rugby) 12 – 25 GB Red
- GB Blue 28 – 2 Help for Heroes (Basketball)
- Help for Heroes (Basketball) 10 – 34 GB Red
We’re incredibly grateful to Help for Heroes for hosting and organising such a fantastic event, and to all the teams who came along and played in such a great spirit. It meant a lot to see the level of support and respect across every game. This is just the beginning for us, and I’m really excited about the future of the GB programme and where this group can go.
Bruce Lauder – Head of FIMBA GB Wheelchair Basketball
Looking ahead, the squad is working towards the European Championships in Greece and the World Cup in Scotland. This first outing has laid a strong foundation, but also highlighted the areas to build on to ensure the Masters programme reaps international success.
Overall, a great day and a big step forward for the Masters GB Wheelchair Basketball initiative – plenty of positives, lots to look forward to and the journey has now well and truly begun.
