GB Wheelchair Rugby Trip
USA Competition Against USA and Canada Development Team
Great Britain Talent team recently travelled to the United States, where we played against the USA and Canada development teams in a series of competitive games. Away from the court, the trip was a great experience filled with invaluable lessons, camaraderie, and moments to cherish.
From the moment we arrived, the warmth and friendliness of those we encountered set the tone for an incredible week. Miss Angel, a great grandmother of 13, who worked at the Hilton Hotel deserves special recognition for her exceptional hospitality, going above and beyond to make sure we were all well fed every morning. Similarly, the staff and members of the Lakeshore Foundation were welcoming and generous. We can easily forget the power of a hello, a smile and a genuine interest in how others are doing.
High pressure and Memorable Performances
The USA squad saw the return of former international, Alex Pabon and a number of Paris Paramlympians, including rising star Zion Reddington and the best 1.0 in the world Lee Fredete. Our games with USA really stretched our players and put them in high pressure situations. While USA won all three games, there were moments in each of these games when we competed well, stuck to the game plan and put pressure on USA.
GB Battle With Canada
The Canadian squad included Paralympian Matt Debly, returning international Shayne Smith and a number of exciting players for the future.
In our first game against Canada, we were out played, with the Canadian pressure forcing a number of uncharacteristic errors.
Going into the 2nd game, the pressure was on, knowing that a defeat would mean a last place finish in the competition. The players were physically and mentally stronger and eventually managed to break down the Canadians and take the victory, setting up a series decider.
The final game against Canada was a cracker. After falling behind by seven points in the first quarter, the team displayed remarkable resilience and determination to claw back and secure a hard-fought victory. Canada, to their credit, continued to run lines and expose their athletes to high pressure situations.
Growth Through Challenges
Every player experienced challenges and set backs at points throughout the week, but what stood out was their ability to learn, adapt, and improve. By the end of the trip, the team had grown stronger both individually and collectively, laying a solid foundation for future success.
MVP
A special mention goes to Hannah Bucys, who was voted the Most Valuable Player of the trip by the talent coaches for her consistent performance and resilience.
Building Connections
The trip was not only an opportunity for competition but also for the coaching and support staff to connect with players, support future transitions and nurture emerging potential. With players and staff showcasing their unique non rugby skills throughout the week.
Unsurprisingly, the staff clinched victory in the quiz night, with allegations of bending the rules shot down by the impartial quiz master.
We’d like to thank our friends at US wheelchair rugby and Lakeshore foundation for organising an excellent competition.
