Wheelchair National Academy - School Games National Finals

Wheelchair National Academy – School Games National Finals

Scotland Blue

Back Row (L to R): Shane Humphries, Jack Caird, Finlay Erskine, Daniel McLaughlin

Front Row: Ronnie Cassels

Scotland White

Back Row (L to R): Ben Flanigan, Owen Leitch, Callum Smith

Front Row (L to R): David McLaughlin, Charlie Redmond

basketballscotland’s Wheelchair National Academy squads set off today for the School Games National Finals at Loughborough University, which will run from 2^nd – 5^th September.

The tournament – which is for players aged 13-18 – will see teams from Wales, England and Scotland compete against each other in what will be the first competition many have played in since the beginning of the pandemic.

This is the first time the 3×3 format will feature at the School Games, along with separate boys’ and girls’ competitions instead of the mixed competition that is usually featured.

Scotland will have two teams in the games. Scotland Blue Boys and Scotland White boys, with all but one player experiencing the Games for the first time.

Scotland Blue Boys

Jack Caird (3.0),

Ronnie Cassels (3.0),

Finlay Erskine (4.5),

Shayne Humphries (3.0),

Daniel McLaughlin (1.5)

(Coach: Mark Stevenson)

Scotland White Boys

Ben Flanigan (3.0),

Owen Leitch (5.0),

David McLaughlin (1.0),

Charlie Redmond (2.0),

Callum Smith (5.0)

(Coach: Conor Smart)

When asked about the Games, basketballscotland’s Disability Talent & Pathways Manager, Tina Gordon, commented “Our Academy Athletes have been working hard throughout the past year attending online player development sessions and more recently being able to take to the court again. We have young squads with only one player having previously played at the School Games before. The 3X3 format is something new for us too. It’s really fun, fast and fetches the best out in players strategically – looking forward to seeing all the learning put into practice.”

Due to the pandemic, the competition will be played behind closed doors. However, all the action will be streamed live on the Youth Sport Trust YouTube channel for everyone to watch.

Find more information about the School Games here