Tees Valley Mohawks Wheelchair basketball team- An ambassador for disabilty sport

Tees Valley Mohawks Wheelchair basketball are a series of teams that play out of Outwood Academy in Middlesbrough. They consist of 3 mixed-sex teams, 3 women's teams and they also have a range of youth teams.

The club was started off by Phil Bramley and Lee Fawcett after they finished their careers in Wheelchair basketball with the Newcastle Eagles in 2012. Fawcett assumed the role of club chairman while Bramley would become the team's coach. On the club's beginnings, Lee Fawcett said: "I am from Middlesbrough and I had to go around and play at different clubs and travel, there wasn’t really a club in the area at the time. There was one years ago, but then it folded. So, one of the things we wanted to do was bring a club back for the community."

Tees Valley Mohawks Wheelchair basketball chairman Lee Fawcett

Since starting in 2012, the club has grown to 3 men's teams (known as men's teams but women can also play for them), 2 women's teams and they also have a range of youth teams. On running those teams, Lee Fawcett said: "We run three sessions a week now. One is for developed juniors and new players, or anyone who just wants to come and have a laugh. Our National League teams are on Fridays, and then Thursdays we have our first team elite squad. Running three sessions a week for different levels is brilliant."

Fawcett said that the Mohawks have a 'few prospects' for the next Paralympics in LA. Mohawks first team players Ollie Porter and George Hazard have been called up for England North under 18s. Porter was also called for the 2023 World Championships winning bronze.

Fawcett is a decorated paralympian himself, he was called up for the 2000 Sydney games, 2009 European Championships and the 2010 World Championships. Winning a bronze medal at both the World and European Championships. He says that he "uses his experiences" of playing at the highest level to help develop players, his players are always curious to "how he did it" and "what type of training did he do" and Fawcett is always happy to help.

Tees Valley Mohawks Wheelchair basketball player Jack Schofield

Men's basketball player for the 1st and 3rd team Jack Schofield described the quality of coaching as 'second to none' and to have a former paralympian like Fawcett around the club for advice and tips is very helpful and "inspiring". Schofield also added that the team gets players from the Paralympic squad to come down and play and also give advice. He said that when team GB Women's captain Robyn Love came and she told him "Watch this game and you’ll see exactly where I made the same mistake." Jack then found that

game online and learned from that.

Tees Valley Mohawks Wheelchair basketball player Abby Sinclair

Women's basketball player Abby Sinclair only started playing National League Wheelchair basketball this season but she has become a key player for both Women's first team and the Men's third team. She described playing and training with the Mohawks as 'incredible' and is also looking forward to playing in the playoff for both Women's firsts and Men's thirds. Abby won the league with the Women's first team this season, on the achievement she said: "Going home with a sports medal for the first time in my life was really emotional. I hadn't participated in sports much before taking up wheelchair basketball, and winning filled me with so much pride. Winning the playoffs would mean the world to me and would be the perfect end to a superb season."

Tees Valley Mohawks Wheelchair basketball manager Phil Bramley

Phil Bramley is the coach of the Men's first team and has been supporting the club since its founding, with Lee Fawcett. On his coaching style, Bramley focuses heavily on set plays offensively. Using routines worked on in training to generate good quality chances to score. On the defensive end, his team plays disciplined and mainly focuses on preventing shots close to the basket. Bramley says he also tends to be pragmatic based on his opponents. He looks to make changes to exploit weaknesses. Bramley describes competing against other coaches as a "game of chess".

Bramley's long term ambition with the team is to win the Men's Premier league title, which is the league above Division 1. He says the current squad is "young" and they have the potential to go win it in the next 3-5 years.