Coaching team to lead Standard Life GB Women’s wheelchair basketball team

British Wheelchair Basketball is delighted to announce that the highly experienced coaching team of Nigel Smith and Joe Jayaratne will be heading up the Standard Life GB Women for this year’s European Championships and in preparation for them.

With a combined total of over 67 years in the sport, both Jayaratne and Smiths’ wheelchair basketball careers have seen them successfully make the transition from winning medals on some of the world’s main stages as players, to winning them as coaches. A feat which British Wheelchair Basketball hopes they are able to transfer across to the Standard Life GB women’s team.

Regarding his appointment to the Standard Life GB Women’s Coaching Team, Smith said:

“Joe & I have played and coached together for a combined total of 60 years. Although we only have a short time with the Standard Life GB Women's Squad we will be utilising all of that experience to help the ladies try to achieve the team goals that they set themselves. We are both extremely excited with the challenge and cannot wait to get started!”

Jayaratne added:

"We are both enthused at the prospect of working with the current crop of young and talented players in the Standard Life GB Women's Squad. We hope that we are able to impart some positive ideas and knowledge, and to play some small part in their on-going development.”

British Wheelchair Basketball’s Performance Director, Paul Davies, said:

“We believe that Joe and Nigel will bring a wealth of experience to the Women’s team in the run up to European Championships.  Their technical and coaching knowledge is of the highest quality and we are pleased that they have joined our team as we target success in Frankfurt later this summer.”

For more information about the GB wheelchair basketball teams please contact Stephanie Gagne on 07506642692.  Individual player or coach interviews can be arranged.