Chemistry is not a problem for ParalympicsGB’s women’s wheelchair basketball team, who boast their very own power couple. Scotland’s Robyn Love and partner Laurie Williams from Manchester make up two of the 12-strong squad, with the latter preparing to compete on para-sport’s biggest stage just a year on from giving birth to their daughter Alba.
Disproving the stigma that motherhood should force an end to an athletic career, Williams has gone from strength to strength since her return to action in the summer of 2023. And with Paris 2024 on the immediate horizon, Love insists that her partner could act as the secret weapon that drives ParalympicsGB to a first ever wheelchair basketball medal.
“A lot of people say to us that they couldn't imagine working with their partner all the time,” Love said, who is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games. “We're together 24/7 all the time and to be honest, I do not think I would be as good of a basketball player if it wasn't for her and I think she would say the same.
“Since she's come back from having a baby, she is the best player she's ever been. It's incredible, women are just amazing. I can't believe what she's done.
“I say to people that she's done all the hard work. Honestly, I don't know how she had a baby then four months later, came back, competed in the European Championships and now she's in the best shape she’s ever been in her life, playing the best basketball she ever has in her life. I'm just in absolute awe.
“If anything, she deserves a medal put around her neck for making a fourth Paralympic Games and all the hard work she's put in before that. All the girls do.
“To get to push out onto the basketball court with my 11 teammates will be incredible and if we get on that podium, wow.”
ParalympicsGB's Road to Paris
Love first shared the Paralympic stage with Williams at Rio 2016, helping ParalympicsGB reach their first ever bronze medal final. While the team missed out on a medal at the hands of the Netherlands, they still delivered Great Britain’s highest Paralympic placing to date in the sport by coming fourth.
Helping usher in a new era for the women’s game, Britain began to stamp their mark on the court post-Rio, medalling at a handful of World and European Championships. Love now feels more prepared than ever going into this summer's Games and is confident the nation can finally break their Paralympic medal duck in the French capital.
She added: “Rio was fantastic. I don't think that we thought we were going to achieve that, reaching a semifinal was just an ultimate goal for us as a programme.
“I really think since then we've just built from strength to strength - world silver medalists in 2018, back-to-back-to-back European silver medals.
“Within that, there are some bumps in the road, but I really do think that we have reached the pinnacle now for us as a squad, the coaching staff, the programme, the team behind the team, the girls on the floor.
“I really feel like we are the best we've ever been and I'm super excited to play some good basketball. If that means a medal, yes please and thank you. I'll have one.”
A Love Story on the Court
The couple's journey has been marked by resilience and determination. They have faced challenges, both on and off the court, but have always emerged stronger. Their love for each other and for the sport has been a driving force, pushing them to achieve their goals and inspiring others along the way.
Williams' return to basketball after motherhood is a testament to her dedication and commitment to the sport. Her ability to balance motherhood and her athletic career is a source of inspiration for many aspiring athletes and mothers.
Love's unwavering support for her partner has been crucial in Williams' comeback. Their teamwork extends beyond the basketball court and has made them a formidable force in the sport. Their unique dynamic has contributed to the team's success and has made them a fan favorite.
A Legacy in the Making
ParalympicsGB's women's wheelchair basketball team is on the cusp of greatness. The team's ambition is fueled by the determination of athletes like Love and Williams, who are not just chasing medals but also aiming to leave a lasting legacy in the sport. With a strong team spirit and unwavering determination, they are set to make history in Paris 2024. This power couple, with their unique story of love, determination, and resilience, has the potential to inspire the next generation of athletes and push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of wheelchair basketball.
