GBWR Confirms 2026 Long Squad Ahead of Major Challenge in Australia
Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby has announced its 2026 Performance Programme Long Squad, following an extended selection process across national training camps and the GBWR domestic league. The 14‑player group blends world‑class experience with emerging talent and for the first time in GB history, the long squad includes three female athletes.
This announcement comes at a crucial moment, with Great Britain preparing to head to Adelaide, Australia, for the 2026 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge, one of the biggest international events on the global calendar.
With LA28 on the horizon, the next chapter of GB’s journey is underway.
A Historic GB Long Squad for 2026
Coaches and performance staff assessed athletes across months of competition and high‑performance environments, ensuring every player earned their place through consistency, impact and commitment.
The result is a squad that reflects where GBWR is heading:
bold, united and building for the long‑term.
The 2026 GB Long Squad
| Name | Classification | Club | GB Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart Robinson | 3.5 | West Coast WRC | 127 |
| Tyler Walker | 3.5 | Cheltenham Tigers WRC | 23 |
| Oliver Wightman | 3.5 | West Coast WRC / Penrith | 5 |
| Faye West | 3.5 | Leicester Tigers WRC | 41 |
| Ollie Mangion | 3.0 | London WRC | 64 |
| Millie Partridge | 3.0 | Cheltenham Tigers WRC | 0 |
| Hannah Bucys | 3.0 | West Coast WRC | 5 |
| Josh Williams | 2.5 | West Coast WRC | 0 |
| Kieran Flynn | 2.0 | West Coast WRC | 80 |
| Gavin Walker | 2.0 | Leicester Tigers WRC | 210 |
| Harri Jenkins | 1.5 | West Coast WRC | 12 |
| Muhammad Islam | 0.5 | West Coast WRC | 68 |
| Jonathan Coggan | 0.5 | London WRC | 284 |
| Jack Smith | 0.5 | North East Bulls WRC | 89 |
This marks the first time GBWR has selected three women into a long squad, a landmark moment showcasing the strength of the pathway and the progression of the women’s game across Great Britain.
Coach Adam Scaturro on the 2026 Squad
“This long squad reflects the identity we are building within GBWR. Our younger athletes bring a hunger and energy that elevates every training session, while our experienced players provide the composure and competitive edge that comes from years of dedication.
What stands out most is how deeply this group cares—about the sport, their teammates, and the direction of the programme. There is a strong and growing sense of collective pride, and it’s powerful. This squad is setting a standard that will continue to drive GBWR forward, and I am proud to lead them.”
Next Test: The Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge in Australia
The announcement arrives just weeks before Great Britain heads to Adelaide, Australia for the 2026 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge; a major global event running from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 April 2026 at the State Basketball Stadium.
The tournament features a world‑class field:
- Australia
USA- Great Britain
- Germany
- Brazil
- Denmark
Six nations. Four days. One of the fiercest competitions outside the Paralympic Games.
For the newly formed GB long squad, Australia provides:
- Elite Competition at the Perfect Moment
High‑pressure matchups against Paralympic rivals.
- A Live Test of the Squad’s Identity
A chance for the group to develop combinations, sharpen systems and build together.
- A Global Stage
Australia’s sporting culture brings energy, expectation and intensity — the ideal environment to test performance.
- Long‑Term Preparation for LA 2028
Every minute on court contributes to the bigger picture.
Looking Ahead
With a history‑making long squad selected and a major international test awaiting in Australia, GBWR now turns its focus to a huge year of global competition, one that will shape the journey toward the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Following the 2026 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge in Adelaide (23–26 April 2026), Great Britain will head into two more world‑class events:
The Canada Cup remains one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments and a key testing ground for Paralympic‑level competition. The 2026 edition runs 1–8 June 2026, hosted at the Richmond Olympic Oval in British Columbia.
Later in the year, the world’s best will meet at the Paralympic Training Centre in São Paulo, Brazil, for the 2026 WWR World Championship, running 15–24 August 2026; marking the first time the World Championship is held in South America.
These events form a critical progression pathway for the newly named GB long squad. Each tournament brings high‑pressure minutes, international exposure, and opportunities to refine combinations as the team builds toward its long‑term goals.
Forward Together.
