Wales bid for Glasgow 3x3 wheelchair basketball spots

Wales' 3x3 wheelchair basketball teams are aiming for historic Commonwealth Games spots in a winners-take-all qualification event at the University of Nottingham on Saturday, 4 April.

The IWBF European Zonal Qualifier tournament will see Wales compete against Northern Ireland, England and Cyprus.

The men's and women's teams will compete in separate competitions, with only one Glasgow Games spot available in each.

"Everyone's really a mixture of apprehensive and excited," said Wales' Chloe Morgan.

"We know that it's going to be a really tough competition, but we're really hopeful."

No Welsh wheelchair basketball side has previously reached the Games, a powerful motivator according to Morgan.

"We've all kind of said we don't have anything to lose, so we might as well just give it absolutely everything we can," she added.

The women's team features Morgan, Anastasia Blease, Libi Phillips and Molly Lander, while the men's squad includes Alex Wilson, Dan May, Will Bishop and Ben Johnson-Rolfe.

Teams play on a half-court with three players on each side who have just 12 seconds to take a shot.

Matches last 10 minutes, with the first team to reach 21 points taking the win if they reach that total early.

The Commonwealth Games is one of the few major competitions where para-sport is fully integrated into the main programme, something Morgan believes is crucial for the future of sport.

"It sort of sets out an example of what I think all sports should be like. I don't think para-sport should be separated from able-bodied sports, they deserve to be on an equal stage." she said.

"There's a lot of misconceptions about para-sport, that it's easier, that it's not as competitive, and that's absolutely not the case.

"We are fighting just as hard for everything, and we play just as competitively.

"I think people should consider watching more para-sport because I think they'll find it more exciting than they realise."

For many athletes, the opportunity to represent their country remains the pinnacle of sport and that is certainly the case for Morgan.

"It's a great privilege being able to compete for your country," she said.

"Wales especially, we're a very proud nation, a very small nation, so I think being able to compete on that international stage, it's massive and I don't think I can imagine topping."

Men's squad member Bishop agrees: "It's a huge honour to represent Team Cymru again at the Commonwealth Games qualifiers.

"I can't wait to get on the court, compete hard, and give everything alongside my team-mates – Cymru am byth (Wales for ever)."

For Wales, success would mark a historic breakthrough.

"The whole squad have really come together and worked so hard to prepare; it made the selection decisions very difficult, but I'm very grateful for everyone's contribution," said men's coach Caroline Mathews MBE

"Now we need to put it all into practice on the court."