GB WOMEN’S OLYMPIC 12 NAMED

The British Olympic Association has confirmed the 12 players that will represent Team GB in women’s basketball at the London 2012 Olympic Games. It will the same squad that defeated the Czech Republic in mid-week.

While none of the players have previous Olympic experience, they have every reason to be optimistic about their prospects of producing competitive and creditable performances on home soil this summer after registering some notable results in recent years.

The British women made history by qualifying for the 2011 EuroBasket tournament for the first time where they reached the second round, and they have recently beaten countries including South Korea, Argentina and Canada – all with significantly higher world rankings – in the build-up to this summer’s Olympic competition.

Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: “The progress that British Basketball has made over the past five years is remarkable and the British women have already proven that they can
punch well above their weight with a number of victories over higher ranked opponents.

“London 2012 presents a fabulous opportunity for the women’s team to showcase British basketball to a new generation of sports fans. Home support can make a huge difference and I’m sure the crowd at the Basketball Arena will be willing the team on to cause a few more upsets.

“All of the athletes and staff put in an exceptional amount of commitment and dedication along the journey to reach this point. The team performed very well at last year’s EuroBasket event in Poland, and I am sure they will give a fantastic account of themselves as part of Team GB from the moment they tip off against Australia on July 28th.”

Jo Leedham admitted it was a historic moment.

“Being selected in the final 12 as an individual is a very proud moment for me and is something I will cherish forever,” she said. “I’m really excited to be
in the Olympic Village, I can’t quite imagine how great it is going to be at the moment.

“For us as a team it is unbelievable. We have come so far in recent years and achieved what was needed to qualify for London 2012. We are so excited to be at the Olympics, we have worked so hard and all the girls definitely deserve their place. We can’t wait to get going.”

Squad

Dominique Allen (22; Wordsley; England; Oral Roberts University,USA)
Rose Anderson (24; Edinburgh; Scotland; UWIC Archers)
Kim Butler (29; Tacoma, USA; England; Skcesis, Latvia)
Stef Collins (29; Upper Heyford; England; UWIC Archers)
Temi Fagbenle (19; London; England; Harvard University, USA)
Chantelle Handy (25; Consett; England; Athinaikos, Greece)
Jo Leedham (24; Ellesmere Port; England; Bulleen Boomers, Australia)
Julie Page (29; Manchester; England; Torun, Poland)
Natalie Stafford (35; Gladstone, Australia; England; Sydney University Flames, Australia)
Azania Stewart (23; London; England; University of Florida, USA)
Rachael Vanderwal (28; Burlington, Canada; England; University of Limerick, Ireland)
Jenaya Wade-Fray (23; St George’s, Bermuda; England; UWIC Archers)

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