BBC TO BROADCAST BRITISH WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE

British Wheelchair Basketball has today announced that the BBC will show eight games live across the season of the Women’s Premier League.

The deal demonstrates a continued commitment to supporting the prominent representation of the female para-sport league in the UK. All matches for the 2023/24 season are to be broadcast, either live on the BBC’s digital platforms or through British Wheelchair Basketball’s YouTube channel. Full list available below.

The streaming of the league will enable fans nationwide to keep up to date with the action directly via live broadcasts of the sport, it will also provide a platform to showcase to more disabled people the opportunities available to them in para-sport in the UK.

This season promises to deliver exceptional women’s wheelchair basketball, with the league welcoming Great Britain’s Sophie Carrigill, who has returned from Italy to join East London Phoenix. Loughborough Lightning have also made a big signing, with international wheelchair basketball star and reigning World, Paralympic and European champion Bo Kramer joining the squad this year.

The season got underway in January with a double header opening day with East London Phoenix facing Cardiff Met Archers and last season’s champions Loughborough Lightning taking on Worcester Wolves.

Alongside new talent, the league has also welcomed three former GB athletes into coaching roles across the four Women’s Premier League teams – George Bates, GB World champion will continue as Head Coach of Loughborough Lightning, Ade Orogbemi, three-time GB Paralympian, will commence his first season coaching East London Phoenix and two-time Paralympian Caroline Matthews has recently been announced as part of the Cardiff Met Archers coaching team.

Justine Baynes, British Wheelchair Basketball’s new Chief Executive, said:

“We are excited to announce the continuation of the BBC’s commitment to broadcast British Wheelchair Basketball’s Women’s Premier League through making the league more accessible to the public.

“The intention of the league was always to create a week-in week-out elite competition environment for the world’s best female players. We feel privileged to have so many advocates supporting us on our journey to realise this dream. We would like to express our sincerest thanks to the BBC, UK Sport, our Women’s Premier League teams and athletes, High Performance partners and the fans for their continued support.”

Diccon Edwards, British Wheelchair Basketball’s Performance Director added:

“The 2023/24 Women’s Premier League promises to be exceptional with many GB athletes signed across the four franchise teams this season. These athletes will be focused on successful seasons for their teams, but also their own personal training and development in preparation for the 2022 World Championships (to be held in 2023) and 2023 European Championships selection and competition.

“As well as showcasing athlete role models, we are also equally committed to highlighting the impact and importance of coaching excellence through the league. As Performance Director it is a significant moment to welcome a Women’s Premier League season where we have three accomplished former GB athletes adopting elite coaching positions. These individuals will be critical advocates for wheelchair basketball coaches and will draw a national spotlight to the importance of attracting passionate, committed and driven individuals into these vital roles within our sport – from grassroots clubs to elite talent pathway.”

Fixtures and broadcast details for the British Wheelchair Basketball Women’s Premier League: 

To find out more, visit www.britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/womens-premier-league