We are delighted to announce the squads that will be on their way to Switzerland next year for the FIMBA Ticino 2025 World Championship. Three teams have been selected in the age categories 35+, 50+ and 55+, with one further squad (M45+) to be confirmed in the New Year.
GB MEN 35+
Head Coach Donnie Cabrera (Essex) has selected an exciting combination of youth and experience to his 10-man squad for Ticino 2025. Coach Cabrera is looking to go one step further than our European Championship silver medal-winning teams of 2022 and 2024, and is aiming for gold with the return of the blisteringly-quick point guard Stefan Gill (Manchester) and the exciting addition of shooting guard Aaron Moseley (Dubai). Sharp shooter Ian ‘Buckets’ Berry (Eastbourne) also returns as one of Coach Cabrera’s back-court generals. Unable to join our M35+ squad in Pesaro due to a serious ankle injury, 6’6” power forward Chris Bigley (Liverpool) is back and very much looking to make his mark in the paint in Ticino. International masters debutants include Billy Smith (Colchester), Leome Francis (London), former BBL player Mark Rangeley (Blackpool), Nick Wookey (Chelmsford) and centre William Reid (Northampton). Coach Cabrera is assisted by Emilie Fairnington (Leicester) who will be making her debut as an international masters coach.
GB MEN 50+
As with the W50+ process, selection in this age category was very competitive, and challenging for Head Coach Mark Poynton (Surrey), alongside Assistant Coach Nick O’Leary (Telford). However, eight players that competed in this years’ European Championship in Pesaro are called up, including the London-based duo of guards Calvin Tarlton and Chris Mark, Jeff Wadey (Surrey) who moves up from this years’ M45+ squad and the enigmatic Michael Embaye (London). Former Kingston player, Matt Cunningham (USA) also returns alongside power forwards Phil Kidd (Surrey) and Matt Williams (Alton), and Swindon-based 6’6” centre Dave Ashton. Shooting guard Donald ‘Sweet Shot’ Sampley (East Ayrshire) is expected to keep any defender extremely occupied, and finally we are delighted to welcome small forward Ewan Kassir and 6’6 centre Steven Riley, both based in Hertfordshire.
GB MEN 55+
Coach Mike Martin returns for a third time as Head Coach to our GB M55+ team, with newly-appointed Ally Sinclair (Cumbernauld) and Mo Jalloh (London) operating as Assistant Coaches. This squad has a clear focus on progressing on from their Pesaro 2024 finish, in what is likely to be one of the most competitive age categories in the Championship with a significant number of teams entering in 2025.
Coach Martin has selected a core of seven players from this years’ European Championship, that sees ex-professional and/or international calibre players Greg Modzelewski (USA), James Whitaker (Nottingham), Keith Pringle (Essex), Mark Bradbury (Nuneaton), Nick Cooke (AUS) leading the way, Noel Power (Manchester) and Phil Pearce (Bucks) all returning to the team. Moving up from the 50+ age category is power forward Steve Milham (Wiltshire) and new to the squad are experienced former NBL players Paul Chantler (Sutton) and Clinton Ford (Coventry) who is 100% a defensive hustler. Finally, there will be ‘bubble bubble, blocks and trouble’ inside the key with the selection of centres Michael Anderson (Surrey) and Stephen Johnson (North Tyneside). Both players are rocking up at 6’7” (and change!) are expected to dominate the boards…no pressure guys!
Men’s Programme Lead, Jesse Sazant said:
“I’m really excited about the teams going to Ticino. Think we have a great group of players and staff, committed to our ethos and ready to put the work in.”
Wishing all our selected teams all the very best out in Ticino 2025 as they seek to do to themselves and GB proud. 
