Sport

Ballyclare basketballer Katie Morrow makes GB squad for Paralympics

The County Antrim wheelchair basketball player will start her third Paralympic Games in Paris

Wheelchair basketball player and Ballymena native Katie Morrow. Picture: British Wheelchair Basketball
Katie Morrow will represent GB at the Paralympic Games in Paris. Picture: British Wheelchair Basketball
By George Peden

BALLYCLARE woman Katie Morrow has earned a place on the ParalympicsGB wheelchair basketball team for the upcoming Paris Games.

The 24-year-old made her Paralympic debut at Rio in 2016, where she was the youngest player on the team. This year, she will compete in her third Paralympic games.

The County Antrim native usually plays for Cardiff Met Archers in the British Wheelchair Women’s Premier League. However, she is no stranger to the Great Britain squad and helped them win the Women’s U25 World Championship in 2023.

Morrow was previously a swimmer, however she turned to wheelchair basketball after being diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Speaking about her Paris selection, Morrow said that she wants to use her platform to encourage others into sport:

“I want to lead a path for younger generations and those who are older so they can experience sport.

“It’s crazy to hear older people say they look up to you when you’re younger, but I just want to be that role model for them and for them to know that they can do whatever they want to succeed in.”

Twelve athletes will make up the GB Women’s wheelchair basketball team, including three Paralympic newcomers.

Joining Morrow on the team, Limerick native Jodie Waite has also earned a place.

Speaking about the selection process, the Team Leader for wheelchair basketball at Paris 2024, Diccon Edwards, said:

“I am excited we have such talented squads to represent Paralympics GB in Paris. It was incredibly hard to make the selections given the quality and depth across both squads

“The selected players have the opportunity to achieve something special for the whole group and inspire the next generation of wheelchair basketball players.”