Still Some Way to Go for GB

23rd October

The bronze medal match ended in a second defeat for GB at the hands of Japan. After such a spirited performance against the USA in the semi-final, GB again struggled to exert any pressure at all on the host nation who was cheered on by an exuberant crowd. GB started poorly calling a time out within the first minute, winning an early turnover, before losing it through their own error, and then being penalised for not getting across the centre line in time. The team began to settle and at Q1 were ...

The Smallest of Margins

20th October

It has become a bit of a cliché but it is a fact that at the highest level of sport today winning and losing is almost always down to the smallest of margins. As Australia and Ireland awake today having lost in the Rugby World Cup to England and New Zealand respectively they will not be thinking this because unusually both were soundly defeated in the quarter finals, but for us that cliché is true. We lost in our semi-final game v the USA but by the tiniest of margins. The game was played like...

GB v Hosts Japan

18th October

For most nations taking part in this memorable tournament today was the day it came alive and the results became even more important as the group positions were settled. First up was Brazil v France with the match going to form and France winning 52-38. Next up NZ v Canada with that result also no great surprise as Canada took the game 58-41. Then the big one – Australia v USA. It was another of those great games to watch with both sides trading tries neck and neck for much of the game but per...

They Are All Big Games Here On In!

17th October

The morning session started with a pretty full stadium to watch Japan take on France. A bit like our game yesterday, France were in the game until half time but then Japan upped the pace and came out winners by 51-42 points. Up next was Canada v Australia with world number one Australia predictably taking a win by 61-54 points. By the time we came to play our game against world ranked number 10 Brazil, the stadium had cleared of the spectators. It was a pretty flat game to be honest and as you w...

GB Out of the Blocks with a Win

17th October

GB opened their tournament with a comfortable win against France 51-44. Having built a lead, Head Coach Paul Shaw used the game to give all of his lines an opportunity to get on the court and experience playing in the venue. I was honoured to welcome Mr Paul Madden, CMG, the UK Ambassador to Japan and his wife Sarah. It was the first time they had experienced wheelchair rugby and they were thrilled by it. Prior to the GB game the tournament had opened with hosts Japan ranked 2nd in the world ...

Read for the Off…

15th October

On Sunday we said goodbye to Kitakyushu after a very successful first training camp. The city was fantastic and looked after us incredibly well – a big thank you to everyone, especially the staff at the Rhiga Royal Hotel and at the Kitakyushu sports centre. Also to the many citizens who greeted our arrival and who came to watch and to support us – some shown here talking to Head Coach Paul Shaw. ...