Lucy Robinson, Joy Haizelden, Charlotte Moore and Jade Atkin (ENG) all played in the Great Britain team that finished fifth in the five-a-side Wheelchair Basketball competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Hoping to improve on England’s bronze at Birmingham 2022, they have had to adjust to the more intense 3x3 environment.

“We play music in all our training sessions, loudly,” said Commonwealth Games debutant Robinson, 27.

“The game is much more fast-paced. There’s music playing constantly. There’s only half basketball courts. It’s completely different.”

Even the ball changes in the 3x3 format.

“In the women’s (5x5) game, we play with a size six, but the ball here is the weight of a seven and size of the six,” Robinson said.

Played over 10 minutes or until one team scores 21, the discipline demands constant movement and quick decision-making. With little time to regroup during the matches, England have developed coded signals.

“We've come up with ideas for certain situations so that when we're in the moment, we all know what's going on,” Robinson said.

“If you're in a 5x5 game, you'd wait for a timeout so that you could have a chat. Here, we don't have time to constantly talk.”

Haizelden, Moore and Atkin were in the team that beat Scotland 12-10 in the bronze-medal match as 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball made its Games debut four years ago.

“Bronze is amazing at the Commonwealth Games, such an incredible achievement, but we're aiming for a different colour this time,” Robinson said.

“We're really confident. We've played together for so many years. We know how each other works and know our style of play.

“What I also like about our team is that Jade (Atkin) and I can't be on court at the same time, so when I’m in, the opponents have to defend us in a certain way and when Jade comes in, they have to adapt to how she plays.

“We're both really good at what we do, but do it slightly differently. I don’t think a lot of teams have that.”

Canada beat Australia 14-5 in the inaugural final. The gold and silver medallists are England’s first two opponents.

“Canada matches up to us the best in terms of size and speed, so they will be our biggest competition,” Robinson said.

Inspired by Birmingham 2022

The England men’s team also claimed bronze at Birmingham 2022, with James Hazell watching from the stands.

“It really inspired me to be a part of it,” the 25-year-old said.

Now he is in England’s team of Games debutants hoping to challenge defending champions Australia and runners-up Canada for the title with a defence-first approach.

“We've been brought up with offence winning games, but you’ve actually got to take pride in the defence,” Hazell said.

“If we show the teams that we mean business in the defence and are not just offensively focused, as the majority of the teams in the world are, we will hopefully upgrade the medal.”

England have a roster full of experience, including Paris 2024 5x5 silver medallist Peter Cusack.

Hazell said he expects strong competition from the other British teams.

“I don’t think you can ever rule out Scotland, because they are hosting. They’ve also got a strong team with good players who play internationally.

“Wales are also strong. If they want to play and work together, it’s going to be hard for us.”

The 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball competition starts on 24 July. For the full schedule, click here.