Thames Valley Kings make a welcome return to court after long spell off

The Thames Valley Kings are gearing up for the new 2021/22 British Wheelchair Basketball Season this week after taking part in their first competitive games in 18 months this past weekend.

On Sunday, Kings first and second teams visited Warwickshire Bears as part of the Bears Memorial Day event.

The Kings 1st team fell to a narrow 58-53 defeat, while the second team lost 48-12 to Bears' 2nd team.

After the first game, Tom Tobin said: "It felt great to be back into the competitive environment and finally play a game.

"They made some hard shots whereas we missed some easy ones that we would normally hit in training.

"We lost the game because we didn't play to what we are capable of.

"At least this is a wake-up call now and not when it mattered," he added. "We will take it back to training and work hard before the season."

Four Thames Valley Kings members will appear at the School Games National Finals for the 3x3 wheelchair basketball.

George Gray, Liam Barker, Charlie McIntyre, and PJ O'Donovan all made the England Regional squads - the tournament began yesterday (Friday) at Loughborough University in Leicestershire.

Meanwhile, former Kings member Kayla Bell was part of the Team GB squad that finished seventh after a 7/8th place play-off victory against Spain at the Paralympic Games.

Finally, Kings are working alongside British Wheelchair Basketball by hosting an 'Inspire a Generation' club open event at the Kennet Leisure Centre in Thatcham on today (Saturday) at 12pm.

The event is opened to everyone regardless of disability, age or ability, and the link is: https://inspireageneration.playwaze.com/thames-valley-kings/js8efhhtbnd/groupplaymanager-display/tg1ao36cat