News | 22 July 2021
Cardiff Metropolitan University is pleased to announce the coaching team for the Wheelchair Basketball High Performance programme.
Rosie Williams and Tom Guntrip will join forces as co-head coaches to lead the programme, which includes the inaugural Women’s Premier League team, the first of its kind for women’s wheelchair basketball in the world. In collaboration with British Wheelchair Basketball, the HPP will also support the development of GB athletes and the growth of the sport at university level.
Rosie’s involvement in the game began as a player and then in 2017, Rosie was appointed team manager of the GB U24 Women's squad and has led the team to become 2018 European Champions and Bronze medallists at the 2019 World Championships. Rosie is also the Assistant Coach of the Team UK Invictus Games squad, supporting wounded, injured and sick service personnel's rehabilitation journey.
In addition to this, Rosie is involved in the Welsh programme, developing a talent pathway for Women and Girls ensuring they are able to reach their full potential. This includes working with a squad who are building towards qualification for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Rosie studied an undergraduate degree in Sports Coaching Science with Disability Sport, and a postgraduate degree in Sports Coaching at the University of Worcester. Following her studies Rosie began working with athletes to support their personal and professional development alongside their competitive sporting careers as a performance lifestyle advisor for Sport Wales.
Rosie Williams said: "Women's wheelchair basketball is continuing to flourish, with our national team ranked second in the world and the launch of the first-ever women's Premier League. It is an honour to be appointed to this exciting role at such an exciting stage in the women's game.
“My experience in high performance sport demonstrates my commitment to developing athletes who succeed both on and off the court to the highest level. Cardiff Met Archers shares this ambition and has reaped success at all levels of the game for decades.
Now it's time to get the ball rolling and start building towards the inaugural women's Premier League season!"
Tom is a familiar face within the Archers programme, having coached within the club since 2016. Tom has occupied the role of Head Coach and Assistant Coach, working within the men’s and women’s programme at BUCS and National league level. This includes some time with the WBBL team and more recently as Associate Head Coach for the Division 2 men.
Tom has also been involved with national teams having been with the Welsh programme since 2016 and gained valuable experience with GB Basketball as a performance analyst in 2017.
Tom studied both his undergraduate degree in Performance Analysis and his Masters in Sports Broadcasting at Cardiff Met.
Tom Guntrip said: "I've loved my seven years with Cardiff Met Archers so far, and to have the chance to contribute to our new Women's Premier League team is an incredible opportunity.
"After learning about the goals for the team and the programme, I knew this was something I wanted to help with and contribute to.
"British Wheelchair Basketball has been one of our most successful teams across any sport in the Olympic and Paralympic setups and to work with players and coaches who have succeeded at the highest level isn't something to think twice about.
"I love the game of basketball, what it teaches people and what it stands for, and I hope that alongside Rosie we can build something special here.”
Sarah Wagstaff, Head of Basketball at Cardiff Met said: “We are so pleased to announce our coaching staff for the programme and know we have two great people who will complement each other very well.
I am really excited for this duo to come together and lead the programme and cannot wait for us to build our team further and get started”.
Haj Bhania OBE, Head of Coaching and Tactical Development at British Wheelchair Basketball, said: “The joint appointment of Rosie and Tom will provide a really positive dynamic with both coaches bringing their own experience, knowledge and perspective to the roles of co-head coaches.
“Rosie’s knowledge and experience of wheelchair basketball through her coaching roles and Team Management within the GB Performance Programme will be invaluable, likewise Tom’s knowledge of University sport, the programme at Cardiff Met Archers and national team coaching roles should make for a strong partnership in supporting and developing athletes and the team.
“We look forward, as with all our High Performance Partnerships, to working with Rosie, Tom and Cardiff Met Archers and their Women’s Premier League team to create the best possible environment and pathway for athletes and coaches.”
