Emerald Rollers return to the GB Wheelchair Basketball Women's League this weekend, ahead of the action, team captain, Sophie Denieffe shares her thoughts on the upcoming season.
Can you tell us what your first season competing in the GB Women’s League was like?
Our first season competing in the GB Women’s League was an incredible experience that provided both challenges and opportunities for growth. The level of competition was intense as we expected it would be.
There were definitely some tough moments, like when we faced teams that had been playing together for years but those experiences pushed us to improve
Each match presented obstacles that tested our skills and resilience. We had the chance to play against some of the best athletes in the country, which pushed us to elevate our performance both individually and as a team and adapt our strategies on the court.
What are the expectations for this season?
We’re looking to build on where we left off last season. The moral in the team is positive, and everyone’s excited to improve on our game. We want to focus on teamwork and communication, making sure we’re all on the same page. Winning is definitely a goal, but we also want to enjoy the process and learn from it. Overall, we’re aiming for growth, both as individual players and as a team.
How has preparation been for the upcoming season?
Preparation for the upcoming season has been going well. We’ve been working hard both on and off the court. Everyone including players and coaches have been really dedicated and focused on improving our game. Overall, I think we’re in a great position and ready to face whatever comes our way.
What has been your highlight on or off the court as an Emerald Roller?
The biggest highlight for me so far was being named captain of Emerald Rollers. It has been a huge honour to captain a team that has such huge potential and is extremely dedicated and hard working. Besides from that it has been great bonding with all the girls both on and off the court and creating genuine friendships.
What would you tell other girls to encourage them to get involved in Wheelchair Basketball?
Something I would tell other girls to encourage them to get involved is to just go for it. It’s such a great way to stay active, make new friends, and have fun. It is also very empowering to see how strong and capable you can be both on and off the court. You’ll learn new skills, build confidence, make new friends and have loads of fun along the way and definitely won’t regret it.
Emerald Rollers will compete in three games across the weekend at Cardiff Met University. We’ll be sharing results as they come in across our IWA-Sport’s social media channels!
