THE CITY’S historical cathedral was transformed into a basketball court as it staged the draw for one of the biggest events to be hosted in Worcester.
The European Wheelchair Basketball Championships will take place at the University of Worcester between August 28 and September 6.
The draw for the prestigious event, which will see Great Britain’s men’s and women’s teams compete for the European titles, was held at Worcester Cathedral on Friday, January 30.
All seven women’s teams – Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands – will play each other in a round-robin format in the group stages.
The 12 men’s teams found out their initial opponents at the draw, with Great Britain being placed in Pool A along with Poland, Spain, the Czech Republic, France and Germany.
Attendees at the cathedral were also treated to a demonstration of wheelchair basketball and interviews with key figures including Great Britain women’s captain Sophie Carrigill.
“I really enjoyed being part of the draw,” she said. “The cathedral was a great venue, and the event really proved how the entire city of Worcester will get behind the tournament and support us.
“It was great to see so many members of the public there, getting behind the event and expressing interest in finding out more about our sport. We look forward to welcoming them again for the Championships themselves.”
Mick Donovan, the head of the university’s Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, said he was confident the entire region would get behind the Championships.
“The attendance at the draw, and the huge crowds that we have seen for previous wheelchair basketball fixtures at the University Arena, prove that there is a fantastic appetite for this tournament,” he said.
“We are delighted to be bringing the continent’s best players and teams together in Worcester later this year for what we are sure will be a wonderful event, and one which will really capture the imagination of the local community.”
Coun Simon Geraghty, leader of Worcester City Council, added: “It’s very exciting to be able to welcome the European Wheelchair Basketball Championships and I’m looking forward to people across the world seeing for themselves what fantastic sporting provision we have in the city.”
