After one of the most difficult selection processes due to the sheer number of talented players committing to FIMBA GB, the coaches have managed to whittle their 33 strong squad down to the final team for the World Championships in Switzerland this summer.
Since returning from the European Championships last summer, the +40 Women team have been working hard to impress the coaching team and make the final cut for the 2025 international tournaments. The “Most Improved Team” and “Spirit of FIMBA GB” award Winners will be making their debut at the largest masters basketball global basketball tournament, the FIMBA World Championships in Ticino, Switzerland. With over 450 teams registered so far from 43 countries across 21 age groups, the 17th World Championships will be the biggest FIMBA tournament yet. Teams that the GB Forties could come up against will be from far and wide, with registrations from Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Germany, Mexico, Mozambique, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Spain, and the USA in their age category.
Head Coach Tony Harrison and Assistant Coach Bruce Lauder return for their second season together and Michelle Mayor, who was one of the original players in Malaga 2022, is continuing as Team Manager to assist the players and coaches in the run up to, and during the tournaments.
After leading the team to a World Cup Silver and a top 10 finish in the European Championships for the first time, Charlie Lauder has been confirmed as captain once more. Aneta Dodson, Gabriele Navickaite and Simone McKoy are the other returning players, who were all crucial to last year’s success. Guard, Emma Loane returns to the team having previously played at the European Championships in Malaga in 2022, whilst making her FIMBA GB debut, forward Ilze Holsteina will bring her international experience to the team, having played at the last World Championships in Argentina, 2023. Bryony Lowe, Estela Alvarez Moreta, Eszter Dalnoki-Nagy, Jo Cribley and Jocelyn Mostert will all be making their international debuts.
FIMBA GB +40 World Championship Team
- Captain – Charlie Lauder – 3rd season
- Aneta Dodson – 2nd season
- Bryony Lowe – INTERNATIONAL DEBUT
- Emma Loane – 2nd season
- Estela Alvarez Moreta – INTERNATIONAL DEBUT
- Eszter Dalnoki-Nagy – SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT
- Gabriele Navickaite – 3rd season
- Ilze Holsteina – FIMBA GB debut
- Jo Cribley – INTERNATIONAL DEBUT
- Jocelyn Mostert – INTERNATIONAL DEBUT
- Simone McKoy – 2nd season
As a warm up, the +40 and +35 Women will be joining forces at the World Cup in Omis, Croatia this April, entering a team in each age category. The +35 are hoping to defend the Gold Medal won at last year’s tournament and the +40 looking at upgrading their Silver. Joining the Switzerland team for Croatia will be original members from Malaga 2022, Marcela Rothera Yassine (now in her 4th season) and Hannah Brown, as well as Laura Bull and Lisa Stocks, who are both entering the 3rd season with the team.
This has been a tough selection process for several reason, but we are very excited about the group we have. Right from the word go, they bonded and signed up to the FIMBA ethos, which we are sure will bring us more success in 2025. Being able to give so many debutants the opportunity to play for and represent Great Britain is a huge honour. The women’s global game is much tougher, more physical and faster than they are used to in GB, so getting that international experience in Croatia will put them in a good position to do well in Switzerland.
GB Forties Coaching Team
+40 World Cup Team Members
- Captain – Charlie Lauder
- Aneta Dodson – 2nd season
- Bryony Lowe – GB Debut
- Emma Loane – 2nd season
- Estela Alvarez Moreta – GB Debut
- Eszter Dalnoki-Nagy – GB Debut
- Gabriele Navickaite – 3rd season
- Hannah Brown – 2nd season
- Ilze Holsteina – 1st season
- Jo Cribley – GB Debut
- Jocelyn Mostert – GB Debut
- Laura Bull – 3rd season
- Lisa Stocks – 3rd season
- Marcela Rothera Yassine – 4th season
- Simone McKoy – 2nd season
The challenge for 25 is now set and we must collectively rise to it . It will require focus, hard work and a strong will to achieve the level required to compete in the coming world tournaments. You are the best squad I have coached since joining FIMBA and adopting these ethics you will be successful!
Coach Harrison
Congratulations to everyone and good luck. For more details on the FIMBA GB +40 Women click here or to keep up to date with the their journey to the World Championships in Switzerland, follow gbforties on Instagram and Facebook.
If you are interested in partnering the +40 Women and supporting their journey in 2025, you can find all the relevant details on our partners page.

