The ladies involved in the squad for the Women’s’ Cup in Paris have been training hard for the challenge in front of them. GBWR ran an initial training camp at the beginning of February at the Wildcats Arena in Nottingham, with the coaching staff focusing on building a team and everyone knowing their roles on court. Rob Tarr the Head Coach has been working on his different line up’s ready for the challenge of the Canadian team who he sees as their strongest opposition.
For the second training camp at the end of February they moved to the Portway Life Centre in Oldbury, Birmingham. The team were also joined by some researchers from Loughborough University, who were doing fitness and strength testing with the squad as part of a wider project on Women’s wheelchair rugby. With only two weeks before they travel out to the competition the ladies finished their training camp with a match against Leicester Tigers WRC. Giving them the opportunity to put all the coaching and practice into a competitive game. The coaching team were really pleased with the squad’s progression, and two wins from the training matches is a brilliant start to their journey.
The next step for the ladies is Paris, travelling out on the 8 March with their first match against Canada the following day. The team have set themselves a target of reaching the final on the 11 March and hopefully bringing home a Gold medal.
Player Helen Thompson said;
“I’m really enjoying all the extra training and I’m looking forward to bringing home a medal! I am beyond excited to go to Paris as part of the GB women’s team and show people what girls can do”
Gold medal winning Paralympian and ex-GB player, Kylie Grimes said;
“So far, the experience has been incredible, as one of the experienced females on the squad it’s been so good to watch the whole team grow and develop already. It’s a different atmosphere to playing with the men and it’s so positive and refreshing to see all the ladies encouraging each other and wanting to be better. I’m really enjoying the team spirit within this all-female squad. The positive attitude to learning and getting better for each other is like no other team I’ve personally been on before. I’m looking forward to putting our learning in to practise on the court against the other ladies from around the world! This is going to be a tournament we’ve never experienced before. I can’t wait to head out to Paris now and get the tournament underway. This is history. First all-female Canadian and GB team battling it out to open the Women’s Cup.”
Player Hannah Bucys said;
“It has been incredible so far! Being part of an all-women’s team is brilliant and being able to share this with very experienced athletes is incredible! I’m enjoying the constant learning and development! Learning from incredibly experienced athletes is invaluable! I’m looking forward to going out there and giving it our all! Bringing all our hard work together and working as a team! I’m so excited! I can’t wait to compete with an amazing group of women and showcase the incredible sport of wheelchair rugby.”
