Kieran Baldwin reports on Jacob Robinson, the Wheelchair basketball scholar with GB credentials.
University of East London and London Titans Wheelchair basketball scholar Jacob Robinson has received a call up to the Great Britain under 23’s squad for the upcoming Kitakyushu champions cup in Japan. The tournament takes place in November and means Robinson will be competing against United States, Korea and Japan.
The call up comes after a successful eight year career in which Robinson has represented GB before and competed with top clubs across Europe. Robinson isn’t alone in his GB call up, as his team mate and fellow UEL student Harry Blyth has also been given the call up. Robinson describe the achievement as a ‘Massive Honour.’
Robinson lost his leg when he was just 11 years old after being involved in a road accident and has been playing the game since he was 12. Not only does he represent the UEL team but he also represents London Titans.
The Power forward has been on quite the journey since his accident, both on and off the court. The Accident required an amputation but it wasn’t without its complications, as his heart stopped beating not just once but twice. Since then Robinson has been on a journey that took him to the very top at his age category.
Birmingham born Robinson started his blossoming career at his local side Wolverhampton Rhinos having never previously played basketball, but it was at this time he discovered his love for the game.
In his first season, Robinson’s performances on the court earned him recognition from scouts around the country, one being a scout for Team Great Britain.
Following a successful season with the Rhinos, Robinson went to an intense Training camp in Stoke Mandeville with GB the following summer to improve his game further.
Sights on gold
Just as Robinson thought it could get any better it did a year later. Once again GB came calling but this time for the European Championships. The tournament was a major success but for Robinson and Team GB it ended in Heartbreak as they just missed out on a bronze medal, losing to Turkey in the Bronze medal match.
Despite this set back his Club Career, like his international career was improving drastically. Wolves were now entered into an elite league in Europe and despite finishing bottom out of five teams, it was a massive achievement which deserves great recognition.
Following the tournament, bigger clubs came to scout Robinson who was now turning 16. He decided that now was the right time to move up a level and left the Rhinos for the London Titans. This is where he has played ever since and competed in the National League in the country.
Just months before joining UEL, he and team-mates went to Turkey to compete in the Euro league and this time didn’t come back empty handed. Securing a Bronze medal after being a side from the Greek top division. When asked where it ranked in his list of achievements, Robinson jokingly said: “We’ll go for gold next time and then see where it ranks!”
Robinson now has his sights set for the gold medal in Japan, when asked about the teams chances he added: “I don’t know really, its hard to say but I’d like to think we’ve got a good chance.”
The team Leave for Japan on Sunday 8th November with the tournament taking place over the 13th-15th of the same month. Hopefully both Robinson and Team GB come back with the gold medal.