basketballscotland Annual Report
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
From November 2012, basketballscotland established a partnership with British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB) and
Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and, through funding from the Robertson Trust and BOOST Charitable Trust, secured
the part time employment of basketballscotland’s first Wheelchair Basketball Development Officer.
Club Development
Much of the initial development work has revolved around laying the foundations for ensuring there are a number of
sustainable clubs in Scotland for new players recruited through taster sessions to progress into. The number of
Scottish clubs has increased from the 2 existing BWB National League Clubs (West of Scotland Warriors and Lothian
Phoenix) to 5 (Grampian Flyers in Aberdeen, Dundee Dragons and Glasgow Panthers) with a potential further group
in Peebles ready to do taster sessions. Registered National League Member figures totalling 37, non-registered
Associate Member figures totalling 34.
All 5 clubs have expressed an interest in participating in the newly established Scottish Wheelchair Basketball Central
Venue League 2013-14 season.
Coach Development
Building workforce capacity is a key factor in the growth of clubs and quality of provision within them. Thirteen
Coaches achieved their Grade 1 Coach award in Stirling in May, and a further Grade 2 course is being planned for this
autumn.
A junior wheelchair basketball session was established in Paisley, while 18 young coaches from basketballpaisley
attended the UK Disability Inclusion Training (UKDIT), run in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport.
Coaching at elite level, together with mentoring support, will ensure our wheelchair basketball national teams get
the quality coaching required. To support this, Scotland U23 Head Coach Shirley-Anne Duff, has been selected to be
a Coach Ambassador on sportscotland’s Coaching Talent Programme, and Scotland U23’s Assistant Coach, Tina
Gordon achieved British Wheelchair Basketball’s Grade 3 Coach award, the first UK Coach to do so.
Volunteers Awards
The sporting achievements of Steven Ross and Niall Ritchie were recognised at the West Lothian Council’s annual
‘Celebrating Sport’ awards. Steven Ross clinched the coveted ‘Senior Sports Person of the Year’ trophy, in what was
a highly competitive category, and Niall Ritchie achieved runner-up in the ‘Local Service to Sport’ award.
Scotland & GB
After achieving fourth place at last Summer’s U23s European Championships, and successfully qualifying for the
World Championships in Adana, Turkey in September, GB held its trials for the squad. Five Scottish athletes were
amongst the contenders for selection, with Steven Ross, George Bates, and Charlie Fryer-Stevens, achieving selection
and David Ion and Mark Scholefield making the reserves.
Scotland U23’s - Celtic Cup, Wales 2013
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