Joy Haizelden: GB Wheelchair Basketball, Three-Time Paralympian & PhD Student

Joy Haizelden is an inspiring British wheelchair basketball player who has made significant strides in the world of adaptive sports. Born on December 1, 1998, in China, Joy was abandoned outside an orphanage and later adopted by a loving British couple, Jim and Margaret Haizelden, in 2005. Growing up in Southampton, Hampshire, Joy discovered her love for wheelchair basketball when her father sought ways to keep her active and engaged in sports.

At just 15 years old, Joy made history as the youngest player to represent Great Britain at the 2014 Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championship, where the team achieved its best-ever finish. Her dedication and talent quickly set her apart, earning her accolades like the Peter Jackson Young Female Player of the Year and helping Team GB secure numerous medals, including gold at the Women’s U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship.

As a classified 2.5 point player, Joy has continued to excel on the international stage, recently competing in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, all while pursuing her PhD. Her journey is one of resilience, determination, and empowerment, serving as a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere.

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, listeners will gain insight into Joy’s remarkable journey, discovering how she overcame adversity and used her experiences to fuel her passion for sport and academic excellence. Joy's story is not only about athletic achievement; it’s a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of following one’s dreams. 

Tune in to be inspired by her message of empowerment and to learn how she continues to break barriers in wheelchair basketball and beyond!

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Show notes

• Being born in China and growing up in an orphanage
• Being adopted by a British family
• Moving to the UK at age 6
• Learning English within 6 months
• Transitioning to a new language and culture
• Facing challenges in physical education at her school
• Discovering wheelchair basketball with encouragement from her father
• Finding a supportive community
• Her first experience in specialised wheelchair basketball
• Enjoying the physical and social aspects of the sport
• Explaining the rules of wheelchair basketball
• The classifications for disability levels
• The importance of team strategy with point-based player selection
• Starting wheelchair basketball at age 12-13
• Being invited to a senior national team camp at 15
• Youngest player for GB at the 2014 Women's World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Toronto
• Reflecting on the honour and excitement of representing her country at such a young age
• Beginning to see the possibility of playing at a higher level, aiming for the Rio Paralympics
• Moving to Worcester for a centralised programme with the GB team
• Receiving sponsorship from the National Lottery
• The hectic schedule of training five days a week and managing school
• Joy's experience of the Rio Paralympics
• Recalling her parents attending the games, which was a significant moment for her
• The multi-sport event experience and the impact of being part of such a large event
• Impact of COVID-19 on Tokyo Paralympics
• The increased focus on mental well-being and support from sports psychologists
• Her personal experiences and strategies for managing stress and resilience
• Pursuing a PhD in health, education, and promotion at The University of Alabama
• Balancing her PhD studies with playing basketball
• The challenges of managing both academic and athletic responsibilities
• Team dynamics and roles
• The Tokyo Paralympics atmosphere
• Deciding to move to Alabama for PhD and basketball
• Collegiate wheelchair basketball in the US
• Cultural adjustments and international friendships
• How their PhD programme allows them to balance their academic and athletic pursuits
• The challenges of managing her PhD and being part of the GB team
• The need for careful time management due to frequent GB team events
• The difficulties she faced travelling as a disabled person
• Managing to balance her commitments and participate in international tournaments despite challenges
• Reflecting on their experience at the Paris Games, where they finished 4th
• Feeling disappointed at not winning a medal
• The team's performance as the second-best in women's wheelchair basketball history
• Undecided on the 2028 LA Games, but evaluating performance and team dynamics
• Dealing with disappointment and moving forward
• Final words of advice

Social Media

Instagram: @haizsee