Power Couple Aim for Wheelchair Basketball Glory at Paris 2024

ParalympicsGB's women's wheelchair basketball team boasts a unique dynamic: a power couple leading the charge for Paralympic glory. Robyn Love from Scotland and her partner Laurie Williams, hailing from Manchester, are two of the 12-strong squad, with Williams set to compete on para-sport's biggest stage just a year after giving birth to their daughter Alba.

Williams' return to action in summer 2023 defied the stereotype that motherhood signifies the end of an athletic career. She has since gone from strength to strength, and Love believes her partner could be the secret weapon propelling ParalympicsGB to their first-ever wheelchair basketball medal.

"Many people say they couldn't imagine working with their partner all the time," said Love, one of over 1,000 elite athletes supported by UK Sport's National Lottery-funded World Class Programme. This programme allows athletes to train full-time, access world-class coaching, and benefit from pioneering medical support – crucial elements in their journey to the Paris 2024 Games.

"We're together 24/7, and honestly, I don't think I'd be as good a basketball player without her," Love continued. "She'd probably say the same. Since she came back from having a baby, she's the best player she's ever been. It's incredible – women are amazing. I can't believe what she's done.

"I tell people that she's done all the hard work. Honestly, I don't know how she had a baby, then four months later, came back, competed in the European Championships, and is now in the best shape of her life, playing the best basketball she ever has. I'm in absolute awe."

Love continued, "If anything, she deserves a medal just for making it to her fourth Paralympic Games and all the hard work she's put in before that. All the girls do. To step out onto the court with my 11 teammates will be incredible, and if we get on that podium, wow."

Love and Williams first shared the Paralympic stage at Rio 2016, where they helped ParalympicsGB reach their first-ever bronze medal final. Although they narrowly missed out on a medal to the Netherlands, they secured Great Britain's highest Paralympic placing in the sport to date, coming in fourth.

Following Rio, the British women's team entered a new era, consistently medalling at various World and European Championships. This strong performance has built momentum for Paris, and Love feels more prepared than ever before.

"Rio was fantastic," Love reflected. "We never thought we'd reach the semi-final; it was our ultimate goal as a programme. Since then, we've gone from strength to strength – world silver medalists in 2018, back-to-back-to-back European silver medals.

"There have been some bumps in the road, but I truly believe we've reached our peak as a squad, with our coaching staff, programme, support team, and players all working in unison. We're the best we've ever been, and I'm excited to play some good basketball. If that means a medal, yes please and thank you. I'll take one."

With over £30 million raised weekly for good causes, including vital funding for elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as providing opportunities for people to take part in sport. To find out more, visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.