Following the running of northern and southern trials in September and October respectively, a team of 11 players was selected in November to form the +50 Women’s squad to work towards the World Championships in Switzerland in June.
The squad brings together a core of returning players from past campaigns with 2 new players experiencing the FIMBA set up for their first season. We were also lucky enough to have additional players onboard who make up our Injury/Reserve and age-related training squad. A number of the +50s players took part in the Galway Masters the first weekend in November. They were up against the best teams in Ireland and competed extremely well.
It became evident throughout training sessions in Leicester before the end of 2024 that the squad was already beginning to gel come Christmas time. There was even the enthusiasm to run not 1 but 2 training weekends in January to avoid a 6week break from basketball and to negate the festive spread!
Some of the team attended the Kilkenny Masters at the end of February to maintain the tournament spirit and experience. A mid-February training session prior to Kilkenny was geared up to prepare the new squad players for their first Masters Basketball experience. A well-earned victory in a very tough group was a pleasure to witness.
March and April brought some challenges for the squad as injuries and illness were tough for some of the players to deal with, impacting both training and the Strathclyde Masters. However, as is so typical of this resilient and cohesive squad, a bounce back was inevitable! Our final training session to date at the end of April brought the whole squad back together, creating a wonderful atmosphere for all who attended, and ensuring the team are very much back on track as we approach 50 days until Ticino.
Coach quote – I feel extremely privileged to be leading a wonderful group of players to what I’m sure will be a fantastic tournament in Ticino. The team have worked incredibly hard to get to where they are and I feel confident they will do themselves proud in these World Championships.
Coach Phil Gander
I am very much looking forward to leading our amazing team in Ticino with its strength, depth and versatility. Our whole squad are much more than a basketball team and the mutual respect for one another’s talents and abilities with real belief means that no challenge is too great. The journey to get to this stage has been incredible and I can’t wait for us to get on court and early show our best ever team basketball and spirit.
Captain, Ruth Barron
For more details on the FIMBA GB +50 Women click here or if you are interested in partnering the +50 Women and support their journey in 2025, you can find all the relevant details on our partners page.
