Members of the GB Masters Wheelchair team travelled to Athens for the FIMBA European Championships and made history by playing the first ever competitive game on foreign soil. Despite a very late cancellation to the proposed tournament, some members of the GB squad still made the journey to Athens to promote the masters wheelchair game and take the first step to a globally recognised movement.
Based at the Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens (OAKA), Gary Davidson PLY ran training sessions every day for the team, focussed on elevating fundamental skills, physical conditioning, and tactical execution. The week ended with a scrimmage and competitive game against players from the local Panathinaikos professional team before some time off to explore the local area.
I had an absolute blast coaching and training with the team. It’s an experience that will stay with me forever. I really tried to pass on everything I know—from shooting, passing, and attacking skills to mentality and life lessons—and I hope it sticks with them! Stephanie, Denise and Josh did an amazing job and made a huge impact. With a little more confidence and self-belief, I know they can take things to the next level.
Being able to bring my own experience as a player to the table hopefully showed everyone how incredible this sport is and how it can change lives, because it definitely changed mine.
Gary Davidson PLY
After the opening ceremony parade, where the wheelchair players were celebrated by the 200+ other AB teams from around the world, the first day’s training was dedicated entirely to shooting fundamentals. The drills focussed on chair positioning, release consistency, and maximising efficiency from various spots on the floor. For Day 2, the focus switched to passing & dribbling mechanics, looking at precise passing lanes, maintaining speed while dribbling, and mastering chair control under simulated defensive pressure. In front of an increasingly growing crowd, Day 3 was a high-intensity fitness block designed specifically for wheelchair basketball athletes. The session targeted core stability, upper-body endurance, and explosive sprinting drills to improve court transition speeds.
I am very proud to be part of the first ever wheelchair basketball team to be present at an international Masters tournament. We networked with many players and officials from other countries to raise the profile of wheelchair basketball as an exciting addition to the many teams of the running game already participating. I hope we have given FIMBA some important insights into the logistics of hosting a wheelchair basketball tournament. I have high hopes that our presence at the 13th FIMBA European Maxibasketball Championship in Athens has paved the way for the full inclusion of wheelchair basketball in Masters tournaments in the future
Denise Drammis
On Thursday, the team were joined by players form the reigning professional Greek club champions, Panathinaikos Wheelchair Basketball Club for a joint session and scrimmage before attending the FIMBA VIP dinner the Athens Rivera area. Friday saw history made as the Panathinaikos players returned for the world’s first ever Masters competitive match. Facing elite competition provided invaluable data on structural strengths and areas requiring defensive refinement that they can take back home to the GB camps, as they prepare for the next tournament.
What an incredible GB Wheelchair Masters Basketball trip to Athens! Although the main tournament couldn’t go ahead, this trip turned out to be so much more than we could have imagined. Training every day in a fantastic venue alongside an amazing group of teammates and an opportunity to play against a pro wheelchair team Panathinaikos made it an unforgettable experience and we thank them hugely.
On a personal note, I am incredibly proud and humbled to have been asked to become the first-ever GB Masters captain. To be given that responsibility was a huge honour, but to captain such an incredible group of players was an even greater privilege. Every single person on this trip contributed to making it such a special experience, and it’s something I will never forget. The connections we made, the conversations we had, the opportunity to raise the profile of wheelchair Masters basketball, and the bonds we strengthened as teammates are things I’ll always treasure.
We may not have played in the tournament we travelled for, but we achieved something far bigger—we made history together. To be presented with our medals and trophy in recognition of that achievement was a truly emotional moment and the perfect way to round off an amazing trip.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible and to everyone who has supported us on this journey. As we’ve said from the very start, every journey has to start with one push.
Steph Johnson – GB Masters Captain
We embraced every opportunity 110%. Shining a light on GB Masters Wheelchair basketball on the European stage, we had so much positive reaction it made the trip very worthwhile, with so many memories made. This trip was extra special given my first introduction to wheelchair basketball was whilst laying on a hospital bed in 2004 watching the Paralympic Games, never did I think that 20 odd years later I’d be playing in the same venue for GB – it blows my mind!
Josh Lawler
Throughout the week, the players were able to support some of the other FIMBA GB teams playing the AB game, as well as the all-conquering, 2 x European Champions, +70 Men and as the weekend came, they treated themselves to an island hopping boat trip, which served as vital mental and physical recovery, fostering team chemistry and celebrating the milestones achieved throughout a rigorous training and playing week.
Every journey has to start somewhere. One year ago, we launched the world’s first Masters Wheelchair Basketball programme with the support of British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB) and Mobility in Motion. As the only programme of its kind in the world, we’re honoured to have opened the door for those who will follow and we know this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Masters Wheelchair Basketball across the world.
Despite all the set backs, barriers and obstacles that were thrown at this group before and during the event, they have remained positive, upbeat and enthusiastic. What they have achieved here in Athens is incredible; making history, raising awareness of the masters wheelchair game. I couldn’t be prouder of these guys and thank them for their commitment, determination, resilience, teamwork and support in making this happen. It shows that age and disability should never limit ambition.
We’ve made history and started a legacy.
Bruce Lauder – Head of Wheelchair
