Wheelchair basketball Road to Rio begins with European Championship draw
Europe’s leading wheelchair basketball nations will start 2015 with their full attention upon the spectacular setting of Worcester Cathedral where, on the afternoon of Friday 30 January, the draw for the European Championships will formally mark the opening of their battle to qualify for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
With 20 teams on the quest to both secure their place in Brazil and win the prestigious European title, the highly anticipated draw will determine the nations’ starting pool groups ahead of their arrival at the stunning University of Worcester Arena for the Championships itself (28 August – 6 September).
On home court and with the full support of the nation behind them, the European Championships will see GB Men’s Team looking to earn an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal whilst the GB Women will be aiming to build upon the fantastic form that saw the team secure the nation’s highest ever World Championship finish in June 2014.
Now, as world’s spotlight turns to the West Midlands, the draw will see the hundreds of leading lights from across the sporting world and region treated to a truly extraordinary occasion featuring an unmissable wheelchair basketball demonstration and the opportunity to hear from some of Great Britain’s greatest players.
British Wheelchair Basketball CEO Charlie Bethel said:
“It is great that Worcester Cathedral has supported the European Championships by agreeing to host the draw. This truly inspirational venue reflects the prestige and history that the European Championships holds."
He continued:
"It is fantastic that both the UK and Worcestershire will be welcoming people from across Europe and indeed the World with the Congresses and International Programmes that will be delivered in parallel to the Championships. This event will support both local and national business and we are looking to work with the LEP and Chamber of Commerce to capitalise on this. This Championship highlights the great strides being made in Paralympic Sport and is part of the legacy of London 2012. It will also provide people with the opportunity to see the Paralympic Champions play and hopefully see the Great Britain Teams win medals and the Men’s Team defend the title of European Champions.”
The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester, added:
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to host this event at Worcester Cathedral. It may seem an unusual event to hold in a Cathedral, but it is part of our commitment to the wider community to be open in this way. We wish the competitors all the best for the draw and competition.”
Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Worcester, said:
“This will be a wonderful twelve days of sport. Over the last two years ,the people of Worcester and the region have shown very strong support for our Great British wheelchair basketball teams both when playing at the University of Worcester Arena and in the Invictus Games. There is now a great appetite for this top flight European tournament. We look forward to welcoming all the players, officials and spectators from across Europe to Worcester in August and September.”
