Commonwealth Games 2022: James MacSorley relishing rare opportunity with Team NI

James MacSorley has won wheelchair basketball world championships at U23 and senior level with Great Britain and returned from last year’s Paralympics with a bronze medal.

But with wheelchair basketball making its debut at this summer’s Commonwealth Games, the Belfast native has been given a rare opportunity to represent Team Northern Ireland on an international stage.

First up, however, a qualifying tournament with Scotland and Wales in Glasgow next weekend must be negotiated with one coveted place in Birmingham at stake.

“It would be absolutely massive to qualify,” said MacSorley.

“It has been a real privilege to play Great Britain wheelchair basketball, but being able to play for Team Northern Ireland would be on a different level.

“To play wheelchair basketball at a world event - something that has not been possible in the past - would be an amazing step forward in the history of wheelchair basketball here.

“Coming back from the Paralympics with a bronze medal was historic in a way and having the chance to be part of something like this would be the same.

“Coming from Belfast you either play for Great Britain or Ireland and this is a unique chance to play for Team Northern. It is exciting for me.”

MacSorley plays with Bidaideak Bilbao in the Spanish professional league and hopes the added profile the sport gains from the Commonwealth Games will help its continuing growth.

He said: “The sport is growing massively in the UK and especially Northern Ireland where a lot of work has gone into it.

“Disability Sport Northern Ireland (DSNI) have been great in growing the game, it is amazing seeing the league that they have set up there and the number of clubs and people playing.

“Hopefully if people see the sport in