Britain’s Sophie, Countess of Wessex attended the Inclusive Zone Basketball championships yesterday (07.05.14).
The 49-year-old wife of Prince Edward visited Worcester in the West Midlands to watch schoolchildren battle it out in the national final before presenting the winners and runners-up with awards.
The game, which is specially adapted to allow both disabled and able bodied players to participate, has been close to the Countess’ heart ever since she became fascinated by British Wheelchair Basketball during the London 2012 Games.
The royal – who subsequently become patron of the sport – sat next to the new captain of Great Britain women’s Wheelchair Basketball team, Sophie Carrigill, during lunch.
Carrigill told the Worcester News: "I knew I was on her table but I didn’t know I was sitting right next to her. I was a bit nervous but she was really nice and really chatty and interested in basketball and what we are doing here in Worcester.
"She said how thrilled she was to be a part of it and how exciting she finds the game."
As well as chatting to the youngsters competing in the Inclusive Zone Basketball final, the Countess of Wessex also met with the University of Worcester’s vice chancellor, Professor David Green, Malcolm Tarkenter, the chairman of British Wheelchair Basketball, and Sir Philip Craven, the president of the International Paralympic Committee.
Countess of Wessex attends Inclusive Zone Basketball championships
