Ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Qualifier, Team England has brought together their elite 3x3 talent for a preparation camp in Manchester.
One of the athletes who has been selected for the women’s camp, which is taking place at the National Basketball Performance Centre (NBPC) between the 19-21st May, is Sheffield Hatters’ captain Georgia Gayle.

On what the preparation camp has been like so far, Gayle said: “It’s really positive so far. There’s a lot of energy and just a lot of great people in camp, and I think everyone’s just enthusiastic and looking forward to the Commonwealth Games, and hopefully we’ll qualify this weekend.”

Alongside Gayle, the women’s camp also included fellow Hatter player Grace Graham and Birmingham 2022 silver medallists Shanice Beckford-Norton and Cheridene Green.

After the conclusion of this camp, England Women’s 3x3 head coach Sarah Hopkins-Chery will then select her quartet for the Glasgow 2026 qualifier, which will take place at the same venue between 22-23 May.

On possibly being selected for the qualification event, Gayle said: "It's always a great opportunity, and I’m always grateful to be here. I’m fortunate that I can play basketball for a living, and being able to do it and to represent my country is great.”

“I’m excited; I always have a little bit of nerves before an event like this, but I’m definitely feeling more excited than anything.”
The Glasgow 2026 Qualifier will see England’s men and women’s 3x3 teams compete for the final qualification spot for the upcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

They will face the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland and Wales, with the winner of the both the men’s and women’s finals joining the likes of Australia, Jamaica and hosts Scotland at the games.

On the Commonwealth Games, Gayle said: "I just think it’s great to be a part of the Commonwealth Games; 3 on 3 is up and coming, and I think it's really exciting, and it does vary so much from 5 on 5, so I’m hoping that with the Commonwealth Games it will continue to grow and eventually it will bring professional opportunities for women.”

“It’s an exciting game; it is different from 5 on 5, so it’s definitely a good opportunity for people to come down, especially in that setting and atmosphere. The game is growing, and it would be great to have as many people there as possible supporting us.”

3x3 basketball has only been contested at one previous Commonwealth Games, Birmingham 2022, which saw England come home with a gold medal and a silver medal.

In a bid to better their previous result of a silver medal, the England women's team will be hoping to secure their spot as one of two European nations at the games in Glasgow.

On her and England’s hopes for the Commonwealth Games, Gayle said: “I think it’s always to try and be better than last time, so ultimately the goal is to go for the gold. It’s great to have a couple of the girls [who won silver in Birmingham] here in camp, and hopefully they’ll be in the final team too so they can lead by example and I can learn from them and their experience.”

Gayle will also be hoping to secure her place at the Glasgow 2026 Qualifier at the end of this week, as it will give her, and everyone selected, a chance to compete for a place in the final squad that will represent England at the Commonwealth Games in July.