With the IQA World Cup on the horizon, anticipation is building within the National Welsh Quadball team as they prepare for their biggest tournament to date.
Team members are buzzing with excitement, and for good reason. This tournament marks a step up in both physical and competitive demands, but the squad is ready to rise to the occasion.
This is a self-described massive opportunity for the Welsh, joining Scotland as debutants at the IQA World Cup - it’s the biggest tournament any of them will have ever played in, and will be a huge step up, both competitively and physically across the three days.
But Wales are coming into it strong, excited, and determined to leave their mark.
Players from the team also shared their individual thoughts
Izzy Hecks, Welsh Beater
Very excited to get my trading card, slightly intimidated by the new teams we'll play.
Robyn Lancelotte, Welsh Chaser/Seeker
I can't wait to see my teammates, friends, and play against some new and old teams.
Representing Wales is something I have dreamed about since I was a child playing rugby in primary school. I have now done it on two occasions at WISE Cup and EG last year. To be able to represent Wales at the World Cup is one of the greatest things I will ever have done and I can't wait to be able to wear my red jersey with pride alongside my friends. Pob Lwc Pawb.
Rhys Williams, Welsh Beater
The team has been putting in months of hard work to prepare for the tournament.
They've been building the training schedule up and up in the run-in over these past few months, both in frequency and intensity. Outside of this they've been focused on fitness ready for Wales' first three day tournament, with bronco runs at training, and players sharing their physical activities outside of quadball collectively. In addition, everyone in the squad has been working really hard and pushing at their club training in preparation for the world cup.
Wales is approaching the World Cup with a simple aim.
Compete hard and win as many games as possible.
The aim is fairly straightforward: to compete as strongly as they can, and to win as many games as they can. They highlighted that they know there will be some teams who Wales know they will potentially struggle with competitively, and this is just a fact. But in those games their aim is to perform at their highest level and to play up.
But ultimately, with any teams they go up against, their aim is to win.
Max Parsons, Welsh Chaser
Lucy Nicholls, Welsh Beater
Kirsty McCabe, Welsh Chaser
Although there are a few changes to the squad setup since the European Games, the core approach remains the same.
They have a smaller roster than at EG, and will be missing Chazz Mcleod who was the Head Coach in 2024, as well as Lucy Nicholls who was the previous manager but now remains as a player. But generally they want to keep and build upon the setup they both created, and maintain the good performances and lessons from the European Games. They also highlighted the exciting additions of two players who weren’t in the 2024 squad in Simon Jessop and Sana Siva.
One of the most exciting aspects of the World Cup is the opportunity to face teams from outside Europe and the United Kingdom, with Wales specifically highlighting the Latin American team in their World Cup group.
Alongside the Latin American team, Wales will also face off against Austria, Poland, and England in the pool stages.
But one possible fixture remains top of mind for Team Wales, and a potential Wales-Scotland showdown at some stage over the World Cup is an exciting prospect for both the Welsh and Scottish sides.
The Wales–Scotland rivalry is always an interesting match to have. After years of Wales succumbing to the Scottish success, it’d be good to further cement our victories from recent years. Our Celtic union will mean our rivalry ends in friendship.
Fran Moreland, Welsh Beater
With plenty of talent across the squad, there are several players worth keeping an eye on.
There’s a lot of talent spread across the squad but the coaching staff have selected some of the newer players to keep an eye on.
United Welsh Universities' Chaser trio Kirsty McCabe, Simon Jessop, and Ryan Fairhurst are all expected to unleash some damage at this tournament with their goal-scoring threats.
Robyn Lancelotte and Isobel Hecks are both coming off fantastic first full seasons in the community league with Olympians.
And outside of the young and fresh players camp, there’s the weathered hand of Jake Adcock as captain who will no doubt be creating and scoring numerous goals while (in their coaches' words) looking really smug about it.
Wales Captain - Jake Adcock
Going to university in Wales where I discovered the sport, I never imagined six years later I would captain the national team at their IQA World Cup debut. Watching these players grow and develop on both a domestic and international level has been such a privilege and an honour. The squad have such a willingness to fight and determination to succeed and I cannot wait for them to show everyone what they can do on the international stage.
Wales are coming in swinging this year, and you won't want to miss out.
Pob lwc Cymru - we're behind you all the way.
You can following Quadball Wales and all of their matches this weekend on their instagram page.
