At Skatehut, we proudly sponsor wheelchair basketball star Charlie Fryer-Stevens, who dreams of representing Team GB at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio later this year. As the current U23 European Champion and a three-time British Premier League Champion, Charlie has a bright future ahead. He uses skateboard components provided by SkateHut, including mob grip tape, moto deluxe bearings, and USD team wheels, to gain a competitive advantage. We recently chatted with the 20-year-old, who just competed in the National Championships held last weekend in Worcester, representing the Tameside/Oldham Owls in the Premier League.
How did the Tameside Owls fare at the National Championship finals last weekend?
It was incredible! On Saturday, June 4th, 22 teams gathered at the University of Worcester Arena for the spectacular finale of the British Wheelchair Basketball League. The League consists of the Premier, First, Second, Third, and Development Leagues, along with the Women’s League, all of which contributed teams to the 2016 National Championships. Over the years, I've worked my way up through the leagues (obviously never playing in the Women’s League) and have been playing in the Premier League for the past four years, winning gold for the last three!
Premier League Semi Final: Tameside/Oldham Owls vs. GLL & Aspire London Titans
The game against the Titans started off nail-bitingly, but we led 15-13 by the end of the first quarter.
The Titans responded fiercely in the second quarter, with the London side leading 32-26 at halftime. They certainly gave us a tough challenge!
In the third quarter, we narrowly edged out the Titans 12-10; however, they still led 42-38 as we headed into the final quarter.
I was determined that they wouldn't win; I wanted that final spot. I regrouped and had an incredible final quarter.
I repeatedly found mismatches against our opponents, shooting over them, and scored 5 out of 6 baskets.
I managed to execute some incredible fast breaks away from the opposition, thanks to the superior quality of my castors and bearings.
We delivered a stunning performance in the final quarter, excelling at both ends of the court to complete the comeback and secure our place in the final with a 57-51 victory.
Premier League Gold Medal Game: Sheffield Steelers vs. Tameside/Oldham Owls
During the first seven minutes of the Premier League Cup Final, we and the Sheffield Steelers exchanged points before we pulled ahead, leading 14-9 by the end of the first quarter.
The Steelers fought back in the second quarter, narrowing our lead to just two points: we were barely ahead at 24-22 by halftime.
It was tough, and I wasn't going to give up. Having come this far, I wanted that gold. We had a strong third quarter and managed to neutralize the Steelers’ threat, holding a 38-32 lead with only 10 minutes left on the clock.
The Steelers continued to apply pressure: they outscored us 12-11 in the last quarter alone; nevertheless, we were crowned champions with a 49-44 victory.
How long have you been a wheelchair athlete, and what have been your greatest sporting achievements so far?
In my younger years, I enjoyed cycling, swimming, and cross-country running. I learned to ski and took up martial arts. My greatest achievement back then was earning my Ju-jitsu black belt at age 10. Later, I took up competitive cycling, won races, and was invited to join the SportCityVelo cycling club at the Manchester Velodrome around age 12. I was selected for the British Cycling/DHL sprint schools and finished 13th in the Manchester track league, even racing against adults. I trained on the velodrome with blind cyclist Sophie Thornhill, piloting her tandem, which was a great honor.
When I began using a wheelchair in January 2011, I focused on my abilities rather than my disability and attended a Paralympic Talent Day at Birmingham University. I tried fencing, shooting, volleyball, tennis, and basketball. I received offers from several sports, but basketball was the one I instantly loved. Don’t laugh, but I used to play netball with the girls in primary school, so I was a pretty good shot!
I've had several memorable moments in wheelchair basketball. I've won the Celtic Cup (where Scotland, Ireland, and Wales compete) three times, which meant a lot to me because my grandfather was Scottish and would have been very proud. I won the European Championships in 2014, which was incredible as it was my second time playing for GB, and my entire family came to Zaragoza to support the team. Recently winning the British Championships for the third time was fantastic, as three really does seem to be a magic number. With consistent gold wins with two different teams over three years (2014 Wolverhampton Rhinos, 2015 & 2016 Tameside Oldham Owls), I feel ready to play professionally abroad.
Perhaps my proudest moment was a couple of years ago when I participated in a demonstration game at the Olympics (a sports event in Oswestry, Shropshire). Some newly injured wheelchair users came to watch us. I spent time with a girl who had only been in a chair for a couple of months, but she gave it a try and loved it. She has since taken up the game and plays with a team in North Wales. For me, that's a real achievement—getting someone inspired by seeing top athletes at their best and encouraging them to give it a go and embrace sports at a time when life as they knew it had changed dramatically.
You wouldn’t naturally think that skateboarding gear would have alternative uses for wheelchair athletes. How did you discover that this equipment could provide a competitive advantage on the court?
Even during my cycling days, I always tinkered with my bike. I was inspired by Sir Dave Brailsford when he became the performance director of British Cycling. He worked on breaking down the goal of winning races into smaller components. Brailsford believed that making a 1% improvement in various areas could result in significant cumulative gains.
The idea of marginal gains has transformed some sports. Could this approach also revolutionize critical areas of daily life, wonders Matthew Syed. So naturally, when I transitioned to wheelchair basketball, as soon as I got my first chair, I took it apart to examine each component. The manufacturer recommended very expensive Spinnergy wheels costing around £1,000 a pair. I use high-performance cycle tires instead of wheelchair tires, yet the bearings and castors on the four small stabilizing wheels were overlooked. So I ordered some online, tested different options to see which performed best. This gave me an edge over other players who didn't approach marginal gains the same way. Combined with my training and tactics, the improvement in my performance was noticeable.
How did the collaboration with SkateHut begin?
SkateHut's excellent website allowed me to see what's available, and my order was delivered in record time, which was perfect for me as I train daily and would test various options in a week—and the delivery was free too! That's rare these days! I later approached Gavin about forming a partnership.
How does skateboarding equipment like mob grip tape, moto deluxe bearings, and USD team wheels enhance your mobility on the basketball court?
My feet are size 13 and rest on a custom carbon footplate when I play. It's crucial for my performance that I feel connected with my chair. I have foot, knee, lap, and hip straps to hold me in. However, as I can't feel my feet properly due to nerve damage, they often spasm, and the mob grip tape keeps my feet firmly in place. This is vitally important because if I'm taking a free throw that could win us the game, I need to remain still. A poorly timed spasm could cost us the game.
The moto deluxe bearings and USD team wheels significantly enhance my speed and mobility on the basketball court. The combination of these bearings and wheels makes my fast breaks faster, allowing me to score more points. They also make me more maneuverable, enabling me to spin on the spot! Lastly, I love that everyone else uses white or black wheels, while mine are red!
Are these skateboard components commonly used by wheelchair basketball players and other wheelchair athletes?
Since I started using them, several basketball players have begun to realise the genuine advantages they provide on the court, and others simply like their appearance! There is significant potential for other wheelchair sports such as rugby, tennis, and hockey, and they are also excellent for daily use chairs!
At the London 2012 Games, Team GB narrowly missed out on a medal after losing to the USA, which dashed their hopes of securing a bronze. How well will the British men's wheelchair basketball team perform in Rio this time around?
Indeed, in 2012 the men's team finished in 4th place. This time, the USA, Australia, Canada, Turkey, and GB are all very competitive; it's anyone's guess what will happen. We also have the Kitakyushu Champions' Cup in Japan in December, the U23 World Championships in Canada next year, and then the road to Tokyo 2020, which seems more certain to me.
Representing your country is the ultimate achievement for any athlete, so what would it mean for you personally?
It certainly is. The first time I wore a Scotland jersey, it was emotional, and being selected for Great Britain to compete in the U23 World Championships in Turkey in 2014 was monumental. I played for GB on my 18th birthday, which was an amazing experience. We finished 4th, losing the bronze to Sweden in the last 20 seconds, which was quite hard to take, but it just made me more determined, and the next year, when I was chosen to play in the U23 European Championships in Spain, we won every game. Being an unbeaten European Champion sounds great!
Have you ever attempted any skatepark tricks perfected by extreme wheelchair athletes like Aaron Fotheringham?
Aaron is amazing; I watch his tricks with total admiration! I would probably literally break my neck if I tried them. I have managed a pretty cool tilt in my basketball chair, which many basketballers can't do, but it's nothing compared to what Aaron does. He is a true legend; I just put a ball through a hoop!
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