Invictus Games Preview: "Invictus Games have changed my life."

2014, sees the inaugural Invictus Games seeing servicemen compete in a number of sports including wheelchair basketball at the Copper Box Arena.

In 16 days time, International sport returns to the site of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games in a tournament championed by Prince Harry.

Formerly in the Royal Navy, AJ Pingram has an interesting story of how he got involved in the games, despite having picked up a basketball to participate just once before.

Pingram grew up with the Royal Navy in his blood having had servicemen in his family and explains the story behind his participation in the games.

He said: "I haven't done any sport for years, until I went to a Cheshire Phoenix wheelchair basketball session, when I applied for tickets for the games, they asked me if I was ex-forces, I said yes, they asked if I was disabled, I said yes, they asked if I played disability sport and I said wheelchair basketball.

"Next thing I know I get an offer inviting me to the trials, I got through the first one and somehow i've managed to get myself on the squad.

"It's been crazy, I've been improving on a massive learning curve - I've lost two stone since I started playing."

So what does the Invictus Games mean to Pingram and what does it mean to play at the site of London 2012?

He continued: "I never thought I'd play competitive sport again and now I've got a better outlook on life.

It was only during the Paralympics that I realised that there were things out there for me to do.

"Every moment of it has been amazing, it's been a great journey."

So what about the games themselves; who are the biggest rivals and what do the team hope to achieve?

"Everything has been building up to the games, it's going to be daunting playing in front of thousands of people, the fact the crowd will be cheering for us will be like an extra player.

"We feel America will be our biggest challenge, we're putting the effort in and that's the only way to win.

"We're very confident, we've been working so hard our coach Scott Wallace is getting us to such a high level of skill and fitness.

"I've got a stubborn commitment to training, my wife and kids hardly see me nowadays because I'm always off travelling and training."

The Invictus Games start on 10th September, with Wheelchair Basketball taking place on the Saturday.

For more details visit: http://invictusgames.org/.

Comments

Worcester Wolves Coach praises British basketball legend Sullivan

Worcester Wolves head coach Paul James has praised former GB captain Drew Sullivan following his retirement from the game. Sullivan - who made over 100 appearances for his country - announced his decision earlier this year. He led a team to victory one more time yesterday with London beating the World 89-84 in his testimonial. Paul James coach of the Worcester Wolves, has come up against Sullivan as a coach a number of times over the years and says he has a lasting legacy on the British game. James said: "I think he has been phenomenal for the British game, the ultimate professional. I haven't really had the pleasure to work with Drew, but to see the way he handled himself on and off the court, you could see he was very serious about his basketball and his success has happened because of that. "He's won many championships and for sure he has been a real leader on and off the court, for anybody that has worked with him. "It's sad to see such a...

BBP: Surrey United: "One of our strengths is United's past"

Surrey United - previously Surrey Heat - have gone through multiple changes this summer, including a change of owner, name, coach and various players. The 2012/13 season was largely a success with the team finishing in fourth place and getting to the play-off semi-finals. Now a new man is in charge; Jack Majewski, who was part of London United's BBL exploits which are confined to recent history. He is keen to dispel any fears that Surrey's stay in the BBL may be shortened by the takeover and thinks the future can be bright. He said: "I don't believe in a program which isn't run on integrity and financial transparency and at London United we were misled that the borough would pump money into basketball and we are paid for our mistakes." "The main difference between then and now will be stability, we will use local young players and we can use Surrey Sports Park and Surrey University as a base, so players can come in for three years." ...

Kendal Johnson wants to ball in the BBL

Kendal Johnson is an American who wants to play in England in a busy week where he is likely to find out where he will be playing and when. Johnson is the cousin of NBA star Marcus Camby and is looking to be a player/coach in the British Basketball League or English Basketball League. He admits he doesn't know too much about the current state of British basketball but has heard good things. He said: 'I've always wanted to go to England but I don't know a lot about the basketball league, I have a friend at the Worcester Wolves and he has told me there is lot's of positives.' 'I've played basketball since I was little obviously having Marcus Camby as a cousin I was always in that sort of environment.' Johnson revealed he had been in talks with various BBL and EBL clubs and is hoping a move can be agreed in the coming days. He also thinks that it is important to get young people involved in sport. He added: 'One thing I would like to ...

The UK Basketball Hub

Search This Blog