Smith represented Great Britain's men's team for 16 years - four of them as captain - and boasts a Paralympic silver medal from Atlanta 1996, along with a World Championship silver and a European Championship gold.

He then served as assistant coach of Britain's men's team for six years from 1999 to 2005, leading the team to a World Championship silver medal in 2002 and bronze at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens.

Jayaratne was also a part of the British team that took silver in Atlanta, and served as a member of the team for 13 years, alongside Smith.

A two-time André Vergauwen Cup-winner, Jayaratne also enjoyed domestic success with Aces Wheelchair Basketball Club, alongside Smith once more, and was a part of the Cantu team that finished third in the Championship League in Italy in 2001.

He has also gone on to have success in a coaching capacity, as head coach of Rieti last season, and of Elecom Roma for the 2009 and 2010 seasons, winning both Italian cups and finishing runners-up in the Italian league finals on two occasions.

Great Britain's women's team could only manage a 7th-placed finish at London 2012

"Joe and I have played and coached together for a combined total of 60 years." Smith said.

"Although we only have a short time with the squad we will be utilising all of that experience to help the ladies try to achieve the team goals that they set themselves.

"We are both extremely excited with the challenge and cannot wait to get started."

With just under three months to go until the Championships get underway on June 28, the pair will have limited time to make an impact, but Jayaratne believes that they can have a positive effect on the team.

"We are both enthused at the prospect of working with the current crop of young and talented players in the women's squad." added Jayaratne.

"We hope that we are able to impart some positive ideas and knowledge, and to play some small part in their on-going development."

British Wheelchair Basketball Performance Director Paul Davies said: "We believe that Joe and Nigel will bring a wealth of experience to the women's team in the run up to European Championships.

"Their technical and coaching knowledge is of the highest quality and we are pleased that they have joined our team as we target success in Frankfurt later this summer."

Incredibly, Britain's women's team have finished in third place on seven occasions in the past eight European Championships and are still yet to reach the final; which has been contested between Germany and the Netherlands the last 11 times, with Germany winning the last six titles consecutively.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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