The much-anticipated 2023 Wheelchair Rugby European Championship is fast approaching, taking place at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff in a month’s time, 3-7 May. This will be the first time Great Britain has hosted the European Championship. The eight best teams in Europe will compete over five consecutive days to see who will be named European champion.
It’s a key tournament for the GB team as the two highest-ranked nations will earn automatic qualification for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. As host nation of the 2024 Games, France is granted automatic qualification and so qualification will pass to the third-ranked nation should France finish with top-two placement. The next two teams that do not qualify will be invited to a final Paralympic qualification tournament.
The team representing Great Britain at the 2023 European Championship is:
| Name | Classification | Club |
| Stuart Robinson | 3.5 | West Coast WRC |
| Aaron Phipps | 3.5 | London WRC |
| Jamie Stead | 2.5 | Leicester Tigers WRC |
| Gavin Walker | 2.0 | Leicester Tigers WRC |
| Kieran Flynn | 2.0 | Leicester Tigers WRC |
| David Ross | 2.0 | London WRC |
| Coral Batey | 2.0 | North East Bulls WRC |
| Nick Cummins | 1.5 | Leicester Tigers WRC |
| Jack Smith | 0.5 | Leicester Tigers WRC |
| Daniel Kellett | 0.5 | West Coast WRC |
| Jonathan Coggan | 0.5 | London WRC |
The 11-athlete team contains some highly experienced and well-known athletes, whilst in addition welcomes some newer, developing talent. Seven of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic gold medal winning team remain named.
Jonathan Coggan is the most decorated member of the team; this will be his tenth European Championship. Commenting on his selection:
“Really happy to be selected, this is a strong, dynamic team and I’m very proud to be part of it. Cardiff is not only a chance for us to qualify for the Paris Paralympics but being able to compete in the UK really will be special. Not only for our friends and family, but all our supporters, clubs, and everyone within the wheelchair rugby community. I can’t wait for the competition to start.”
David Ross will make his European Championship debut, having first represented GB at the 2022 Canada Cup, and the team welcomes back Coral Batey, who had a break from playing international wheelchair rugby and last represented GB at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.
Leading the team is Head Coach Paul Shaw, who has been at the helm of the GB wheelchair rugby program for over a decade. Under his guidance, the team has gone from strength to strength, winning medals at major international competitions, including gold at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Commenting on the selection GB Head Coach Paul Shaw:
“First of all, I’d like to thank every athlete for their dedication over the last few months and the work they have all put in to be in a position to be selected. It was a very tough decision for us to pick the final team for this championship.
Now we’ve completed selection, I’m very excited what this team can achieve. We know that the competition will be tough but are confident we will be competitive and challenge for the top positions, and ultimately gain an automatic place in Paris next year.
I look forward to seeing friends and families in Cardiff supporting us.”
The 2023 European Championship will be a tough competition, with strong teams from across Europe competing for the title. The GB team will be aiming to bring home the gold medal and re-establish themselves as the top team in Europe.
We hope to see you all in Cardiff.
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