Jo Leedham Among Five GB Senior Women Withdrawals As Camp Opens

Great Britain Senior Women have been dealt a huge blow as Jo Leedham is amongst five withdrawals from the team as training camp opened in Worcester on Sunday.

Leedham joins Edinburgh KK’s Rose Anderson, who is to pursue a career in the fire service, Loughborough Riders’ Georgia Jones (medical), Chantelle Handy (personal reasons) and Cheridene Green (academic commitments), as unavailable for Peter Buckle’s campaign this summer, leaving sixteen players in camp from the original list of 22.

“I feel that I will benefit hugely from a break from international basketball for personal and professional reasons,” said Leedham. “It is not a decision that I have taken lightly, and has been very difficult as I am very passionate about my sport and have always taken great pleasure and pride in playing for my country.”

“I am hoping to make a return next year for Eurobasket 2015.”

Jo has enjoyed a remarkable 18 months, helping Great Britain to its best-ever performance at EuroBasket Women in France last summer. She has also continued to perform for French club Bourges despite two months out with injury in early 2014 and has recently signed a new contract. Bourges finished 4th in this season’s EuroLeague Women, won the French Cup this weekend and are also involved in this month’s LFB Finals.

Last week, Jo became the first woman to lift the Syd Lypski Award which is presented by the British Basketball Journalists’ Association and recognises the top British player in world basketball.

GB senior women’s Head Coach Peter Buckle said, “Jo is an important part of the GB family and as such, we support her need to take care of her health and wellbeing.

“We certainly look forward to Jo returning to the GB programme fit and healthy in 2015.”

One new call-up is 20 year-old Kathryn Rendell who is making her debut at a GB training camp. The 6’2 forward was born in Britain, but has been playing her basketball with Sydney Flames,

With the players arriving at training camp, coach Buckle’s first impressions of the group are positive.

“It is early days still, but we got off to a good start with our first session yesterday. There’s a mix of new names and of course some recognisable faces in the more experienced senior group. I think we have a good blend of players, competition for places and even at this early stage, it’s great to see the group come together cohesively on court.”

“I’m looking forward to the upcoming test games which will give me further opportunities to see the team working together on court.”

Updated GB Senior Women Roster

Dominique Allen, 6’4, Forward
Ella Clark, 6’3, Forward
Stef Collins, 5’6, Guard
Temi Fagbenle, 6’4, Forward
Steph Gandy, 5’10, Forward
Nicole How, 5’6, Guard
Erin McGarrachan, 6’0, Forward
Helen Naylor, 5’11, Forward
Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby, 6’4, Forward
Chantelle Pressley, 6’1, Forward
Kathryn Rendell, 6’2, Forward
Eilidh Simpson, 5’7, Guard
Azania Stewart, 6’5, Centre
Lauren Thomas-Johnson, 5’10, Guard
Rachel Vanderwal, 5’9, Guard
Jenaya Wade-Frey, 5’9, Guard

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