Evelyn Roberts joins the Phoenix

Former Great Britain (GB) pathway player Evelyn Roberts is the latest name announced for the East London Phoenix. The 24-year-old is a 2.5 classification and will be one of eight players to play for the Phoenix.

Having initially been discouraged from playing sport, Evelyn wants to inspire others in a similar position and returns to wheelchair basketball after some time away from the game.

She said, "I'm excited to be returning after three years out and being part of a team again. I think the Phoenix has a great mix of personalities that will help us be ready for the start of the season."

The East London Phoenix will make up one of four franchises taking part in the new British Wheelchair Basketball Women’s Premier League.

The inaugural competition will be the first of its kind in the UK and it will be seen as a huge step forward for para-sports.

East London Sport has a High Performance Programme to help athletes thrive in their sport alongside studying, and the Phoenix is an exciting project for them to take on.

High Performance Manager Will Ashby said, "It's going to have a huge impact. I think over the long term it will increase the numbers that not only play the sport, but watch it too. Wheelchair basketball is going to become something more embedded in mainstream media.”

The Phoenix will start the season after Christmas, with their first game scheduled to be on Friday 28 January 2022.