By Tom Degun

Haj BhaniaMarch 4 - British Wheelchair Basketball have unveiled their current performance programme manager Haj Bhania as the new GB men's team head coach, where he will be tasked with leading them to medal success at Rio 2016.


Bhania takes up the role having worked with British Wheelchair Basketball for more than 16 years.

He has previously held positions as the GB junior's head coach, GB men's and women's assistant coach and most recently performance programme manager.

As well as leading men's team, Bhania will also head the development of elite players in Britain and oversee the Academy that will be based at Worcester University.

Bhania takes over the role from Australian Murray Treseder, who quit following the conclusion of London 2012 after the GB men's team finished a disappointing fourth at the Games by losing out 61-46 to the United States in the bronze-medal match.

"I feel very privileged and honoured to have been chosen to head up the coaching team for the GB Men's team," said Bhania.

"It is an enormous opportunity for me to progress as a coach and I am looking forward to meeting the challenges that will come with it.

"There is a vast talent pool of wheelchair basketball players in the country and we will be encouraging all to increase the selection competition and push the team to the next level."
 
US wheelchair basketballThe ParalympicsGB men’s wheelchair basketball team finished fourth at London 2012 after losing out 61-46 to the United States in the bronze-medal match

British Wheelchair Basketball's newly appointed performance director Paul Davies has welcomed the appointment.

"I am looking forward to working with Haj and delighted to have him as part of the performance team," Davies said.

"The knowledge and skills he brings to the role is a huge asset to the programme.

"The dedication and commitment he has shown to British wheelchair basketball, the performance teams and the development of wheelchair basketball is undeniable.

"I hope together we will certainly be able to move forward to newer heights and reach our target of a medal in Rio 2016."

But despite the appointment of Bhania as the new men's team head coach, British Wheelchair Basketball have not yet found a suitable candidate for the vacant position of women's team head coach.

The role was previously occupied by Garry Peel but, like Treseder, he quit following London 2012 - following seven years as women's team head coach - after his side finished down in seventh at the Games.

"Unfortunately we have not been able to find a suitable candidate to drive the Standard Life GB women's programme forward at this time," explained British Wheelchair Basketball chief executive Charlie Bethel.

"However we are now considering a variety of options, with an eye on the European Championships 2013 and the World Championships in 2014."

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February 2013: British Wheelchair Basketball appoint new Performance Director
November 2012: British wheelchair basketball coaches quit following London 2012 disappointments