GBWR Announces Women and Girls Talent Programme Squad for Wheelchair Rugby
Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) has officially announced the squad selected for its groundbreaking Women and Girls Talent (WGT) Programme, marking a major step forward in promoting inclusivity and increasing female representation in the sport.
Championing Female Talent in Wheelchair Rugby
Led by Lee Stutely, GB Team Manager, and Ayaz Bhuta MBE, Paralympic gold medallist, the programme is designed to identify and support emerging female athletes across Great Britain. It forms a key part of GBWR’s wider Performance Pathway, with backing from strategic partners including The Hartford, Canterbury, and Science in Sport (SiS).
Some of the squad recently took part in a high-energy showcase event in Sunderland, coinciding with the opening of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. In a thrilling exhibition match at the Beacon of Light sports centre, the team delivered an impressive performance, defeating France 42–34.
Read more about the Sunderland event: Unity Through Sport: GB & France Light Up Sunderland
Selected Squad
Following WGT selection camps in Sunderland and Stoke Mandeville, GBWR congratulates the following fourteen athletes selected for the 2025/26 programme:
- Imogen Steele – London WRC
- Phoebe Gibbons – Stoke Mandeville Maulers
- Gemma Lumsdaine – Leicester Tigers
- Lauren Saphir – Leicester Tigers
- Jess Hawkins – Cheltenham Tigers
- Becky Simpson – West Coast WRC
- Helen Thompson – Stoke Mandeville Maulers
- Hayley Cassin – Leicester Tigers
- Kaitlyn Kaminski – Leicester Tigers
- Hannah Bucys – West Coast WRC
- Nikki Charlton – Leicester Tigers
- Millie Partridge – Cheltenham Tigers
- Krissie Ransom – Solent Sharks
- Faye West – Leicester Tigers
“It’s been amazing to see so many players put themselves forward for the Women and Girls Talent Programme. The standard was incredibly high which made selection tough, but we’re really excited about the squad we’ve chosen for this first year. We can’t wait to see the players develop their skills and grow together as a team over the year ahead.”
— Ayaz Bhuta MBE, GBWR Coach
A Strategic Partnership for Progress
GBWR is proud to welcome The Hartford as the Official Insurance Partner of the Women and Girls Talent Programme. This partnership builds on The Hartford’s role as a ‘28 for 28’ supporter and reflects a shared commitment to increasing female participation in wheelchair rugby.
“We are thrilled to welcome The Hartford as our Official Insurance Partner of the Women and Girls Talent Programme. Following on from their support as a 28 for 28 partner is a testament to our collective commitment to getting more women into wheelchair rugby and will significantly enhance our efforts to develop female talent in wheelchair rugby.”
— Jason Brisbane, CEO of GBWR“We are so proud to be the Official Insurance Partner of the GBWR Women and Girls Talent Programme. For more than three decades, The Hartford has witnessed the transformative power of sports in helping individuals lead active and productive lives. Our partnership with GBWR will ease the pathway for female athletes to participate in wheelchair rugby by removing barriers and covering essential costs such as coaching, travel, and customised equipment. By bringing greater awareness to wheelchair rugby, an exhilarating sport that combines speed, strategy, and teamwork, we hope to inspire others to join the movement and celebrate the achievements of athletes.”
— Carl Bach, CEO at The Hartford“The partnership with The Hartford will continue to allow wheelchair rugby to change the lives of disabled people and provide them with opportunities to develop both as players and as people.”
— Phoebe Gibbons, GB wheelchair rugby athlete
Read the full partnership announcement: The Hartford Becomes Official Partner for GBWR’s Women & Girls Talent Programme
Looking Ahead
GBWR’s commitment to increasing female participation is reflected in its expanding calendar of women-focused events and strategic partnerships. The Women and Girls Talent Programme is a key initiative in GBWR’s long-term vision to improve female representation in the Paralympic team and support the wider goals of campaigns like This Girl Can.
With the programme now underway, the future of female wheelchair rugby in Great Britain is full of promise.
Official Insurance Partner of the Women and Girls Talent Programme.
Photos from the Official Launch Event
Take a look at some highlights from the Women & Girls Talent Programme launch at Stoke Mandeville Stadium:
