I spoke to four members of the team before they headed out to Paris to discuss team dynamics, their journeys into the sport and get the low down behind the scenes.
Speaking to Amy Conroy and Laurie Williams, the dynamic duo showed their upbeat, humorous, and overall infectious outgoing personalities. Sophie Cargill and Jade Atkins also talked to me showing how the team work together through senior members of the team to debutants.
Paris is just around the corner, how are you feeling?
Sophie “I’m just super excited. I think we’ve probably got different experiences leading into this because this is my third game and this is your first Jade and I’m so excited for you. it’s just an amazing opportunity. It’s such a cool thing to be a part of to represent your country. I really think that we’ll make our country and ourselves proud.”
Jade “Yeah, like you said, it’s been something that worked for the summer and I am ready to be there now.”
Amy “It doesn’t feel real. I’m so excited.”
Laurie “I think as a team, the vibe is just so good. I think we’re going in with a lot of confidence. it’s quite a nice balance cause there are a few of us who have been to quite a few games and then a few of the girls, this is gonna be their first game. So, they’re mega excited. It’s nice to have that energy.”
You won silver at the European Championships, do you think that puts an expectation on you?
Amy “I would say expectations are good like we want the expectations; we want people rooting for us.
Laurie “No matter what people or countries are thinking right now, the belief in the team, in ourselves is the best.”
Sophie “The belief we have been successful in the past and I think knowing that about ourselves allows us to be confident and allows us to, know we’ve beaten teams that are some of the top teams in the world and we’re right up there in contention for that top position. So, I think it just allows us, it allows me to definitely feel confident in ourselves and our ability.
How do you balance timetables, with managing your disabilities and family life?
Jade “I’m not well-organised person, so how I cope is probably a lot different to Sophie. When I get out there, I will look at prioritising times when I can get to see any friends and family, and times when training is. This summer has been a good time to use that, we’ve been at training camps week in week.”
Sophie “Recovery, rest and connecting with your friends and family is really important. I think we all really value the time we have away from camp and just being able to be ourselves as well, not just basketball players.”
Can you tell me about your journey into Wheelchair Basketball?
Sophie “. I had a car accident when I was 16, That’s the reason I’ve got a disability. I was paralysed from the waist down. I’m full-time wheelchair user now. I was really sporty before so it was just kind of a natural thing for me to want to get back into and do the thing that I loved. Even though I’d had an accident and I had a disability I still found basketball. It’s an amazing sport, super inclusive, and from the moment I did my first session, which is like 13 years ago now, I’ve never really looked back
Jade “I started originally when I was able-bodied and I started cause my sister was playing it was just. It was a way for us to bond with each other and then later on down the line, I got transpired and that’s how I found myself working my way up the ranks.”
What is a tip you were given at the beginning of your career?
Jade “Mine was later in my career, my first major tournament in Dubai, and one of the men came up to me in halftime and he said to me ‘Do you know why you’re not playing well?’ You’re not playing aggressive. You need to find comfort in your aggression on the court.’ Ever since then, that’s been something that I followed through on.”
Sophie “One of the GB coaches said to me like, ‘if you really stick at this, if you give it everything, you’ve got a really good chance of competing in Rio. This was just after London. That stuck with me because she gave me that bit of hope. And I think that’s all I needed to commit my life to playing basketball.”
What is your team’s biggest strength?
Laurie “Muscle” (Laughing)
Amy “Actually, I think we’ve got real good energy. I think you can notice teams when they lose confidence. I think we always have good energy on the bench and on the court.”
Sophie “I think we’re such a good group of girls. I think the strength for me comes from our like personalities like everyone is so different and I think allowing people just to be themselves like those on and off the court is one of our strengths I do think it’s the strongest that this team has ever been. And this is our best chance of bringing home a medal.”
Jade “I think our super high jumpers, our togetherness, and our individuality. I don’t think any of us shield away from being who we are.”
What is something you get up to as a team behind the scenes?
Sophie “We tried our hand at golf the other day but having a bit of a social time. We all love having a bit of a sing-song and a bit of a laugh. Like, don’t take ourselves too seriously. So, I think it’s nice just to keep the atmosphere like super calm and good vibes.”
“Maddie Martin and I had a day of playing Frisby the other day, she now has the name of Maddie Frisby Martin!”
Amy “Pin Trading. In the Paralympics that is what it all comes down to, not judging that you only have one” (pointing at my lanyard).
Laurie “We have hundreds of pins. We have been around the block a fair few times! My favourite is from Rio which has an Eiffel Tower right in the middle which is quite fitting.”
Quick Fire Questions
Who is the messiest?
Amy and Laurie simultaneously “Helen!”
Sophie and Jade simultaneously “Helen!”
Who tells the best jokes?
Sophie “I don’t think we actually have a joke teller, but Amy is really funny”
Jade “we have more one hit wonders”
Amy and Laurie simultaneously “Me”
Laurie “and probably you” (looking at Amy)
Who has the best dance moves?
Jade “Me 100%”
Sophie “Wow, that’s confidence!”
Laurie “I wouldn’t say we are natural dancers”
Three things you can’t live without?
Sophie “Phone, Car and my wheelchair”
Jade “Family, Phone and Water”
Amy “Warm baths for one two and three.” (please not readers this took over a minute!)
Laurie “Snickers, Family, and I have no idea!” (please read the note above)
One thing you would make accessible.
Sophie “I’d make it easier for. People with disabilities to just leave their house and do something active”
Do you think you can win?
Amy and Lauire together “Yes!”
Sophie and Jade “Absolutely”
by Victoria Scholes, ADJ CFJ Alumni & Diploma Student