Teenager with HSP signed to play
A teenager from west Cumbria has been signed to the UK’s first female professional para-sports league.
Emily Branthwaite from Dearham, near Maryport, plays wheelchair basketball.
The 16-year-old, who has hereditary spastic paraplegia, has been signed up to play in the Women’s Premier League alongside some of the best players in the country.
Emily started playing wheelchair basketball when she was nine, inspired by her dad who has the same condition.
Outside of sport, Emily is studying construction, engineering and business at Energy Coast UTC in Lillyhall.
Her principal Cherry Tingle said: “She is an inspirational young woman, she has a smile on her face every day and I’m pretty sure she’ll get on to Team GB because she’s amazing and determined.”
The Women’s British Basketball League fixtures will be broadcast by the BBC, and for many players this will be the first time their performances will be on show to the public.
SOURCE: BBC News, 22 January 2022
Dearham teen joins professional wheelchair basketball league
