GBWR Announce Squad for the 2024 Women’s Cup

Eight Female Athletes Announced.

GBWR has announced the eight female athletes who will make up the women’s wheelchair rugby squad set to represent Great Britain in Paris at the Women’s Cup later this year.

2nd to the 8th December

Taking place from the 2nd to the 8th December, the Women’s Cup is an event run by the French Wheelchair Rugby Federation and is currently the only international event for female wheelchair rugby players.

defending champions

GBWR are returning to the event as defending champions, after winning the Cup last year following an outstanding tournament run where the team won every match they played.

GBWR are returning to the event as defending champions, after winning the Cup last year following an outstanding tournament run where the team won every match they playe
Women’s Cup 2023 Wheelchair Rugby. Paris. March 2023.
3e édition de la Compétition de Rugby Fauteuil féminin. Organisé par Capsaaa. ©_Laurent_Bagnis @bagnis.pics

The eight female athletes selected for this year’s squad are:

Faye West 3.5 Leicester Tigers                                                                         Millie Partridge 3.5 Norfolk Knights

   Hayley Cassin 2.5 Leicester Tigers                                                                  Becky Simpson 2.5 West Coast WRC

 Helen Thompson 2.5 Stoke Mandeville Maulers                                            Jodie Punshon 1.0 West Coast WRC

                   Imogen Steele 1.0 London WRC                                                                       Phoebe Gibbons 1.0 Stoke Mandeville Maulers

 

Speaking about her selection, defending champion Helen Thompson said:
“I’m so excited to have been selected for this year’s Cup. I’m looking forward to welcoming this year’s new team members, as well as reconnecting with the girls from last year. It’s such a privilege to be selected for a second year and I’m looking forward to defending our title in Paris.’
It’s so important to be able to showcase females taking part in a male dominated sport. We want to inspire more young girls to get involved with wheelchair rugby.”

Head coach: Rob Tarr

The squad will have training camp in Leicester at the end of October, under the guidance of Head Coach, Rob Tarr and Assistant Coach, Cara Lewis. Rob is hoping to repeat the success he had last year in guiding the women to the Gold medal and Cup winners.

Increasing Female Participation

GBWR has recently launched a programme of women’s activity to provide a female only space within the sport, with a goal of increasing participation. GBWR are running a Women & Girls coaching session in Coventry on the 23rd November and a Women & Girls competition in Coventry on the 18th January 2025