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Jon Hall
Jon Hall is 30 years old and lives in Clowne with his wife and young son. Jon has been a member of the senior Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball team since he was 19 years old and was part of the 
GB Wheelchair Basketball team who were crowned European Champions in September 2011. He competed at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 and won a bronze medal. In addition, Jon was awarded the Derbyshire Disabled Sports Person of the Year Award three years in a row from 2008 through to 2010.
Latest Information (03.05.12)
The group stage match schedule for the GB men's Wheelchair Basketball Team have now been announced for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Matches will take place at the Basketball Arena and North Greenwich Arena on the following dates:
- Thursday 30th August - Germany
- Friday 31st August - Canada
- Saturday 1st September - Columbia
- Sunday 2nd September - Poland
- Monday 3rd September - Japan
How did you first get involved in Wheelchair Basketball?
My first experience of Wheelchair Basketball was at Stoke Mandeville Hospital when I was 13 years old. It was the National Junior Games and I was there to compete in Athletics (I was previously a National Champion). It turned out there was a place on the Wheelchair Basketball Team and I was invited to train with them.
Who has been your biggest influence?
My Mum and Dad have been a big support particularly in the early days where they took me to training and various competitions.
Tell us about your disability/classification?
I have spina bifida. In Wheelchair Basketball players are given certain points which relates to their level of disability, this is known as a classification number. Numbers range from 1-4 with some individuals being given 0.5 points if they have shown characteristics of 2 different classifications. Players awarded with 1 point have little or no movement in their waist downwards whilst those with a 4 are able to reach from side to side with no limitations. I'm classified as a 3.
Talk us through a typical day in the life of Jon Hall
Every day apart from Tuesday's I have 2 training sessions. This comprises of either 2 Basketball sessions or 1 Basketball and 1 weights session. In the morning before training I take my little boy to nursery and once I have finished my afternoon session I pick him up. The weekends are spent travelling and competing in games across the country.
Who are your greatest supporters?
My family.
Which Wheelchair Basketball team will you be playing for during the 2011-12 season?
This season I will be playing for the Tameside Owls. During the last 16 years I have played for 2 other teams - Sheffield Steelers where I started my career and then I moved on to play for the Wolverhampton Rhinos for the past 2 seasons.
In 2008 you competed at the Beijing Paralympic Games, looking back what was the most memorable moment of this experience?
My most memorable moment was the opening game where we played China. A sell out crowd of 16,000 were watching and I was the second top scorer for the team. Great Britain went on to win the Olympic bronze medal.
How often do you meet up with the Great Britain squad, what is the feeling of the team preparing for 2012?
I meet up with the full GB squad about twice a month. We all play for a number of clubs across the country. A couple of the players who are part of the Great Britain team will also be playing for Oldham Owls this season, training with them, week in week out will help with preparations for 2012. The team are really looking forward to the games and are aiming for a medal.
You have been fortunate enough to travel to many different places, which has been your favourite and why?
I have been fortunate to travel to Australia twice as part of the Great Britain team. We ended up staying for 3 weeks and the tour involved playing teams from their national leagues as well as the international squad. It was a great experience playing in those tournaments. We also got a bit of time to see some of the sites too.
What is your career highlight to date?
My career highlight would have to be being part of the winning squad who won the European gold medal at the Championships which were held in Israel. Though other highlights include being selected for the first time to compete in the Paralympics and also winning the Olympic bronze medal in 2008.
What aspects of your game would you like to improve?
I'm a shooting guard so I take a number of shots in a game. My aim is to be more consistent when shooting the basketball.
Tell us about your plans for 2012?
During November and December 2011 I was away from home training and competing with the Tameside Owls, as well as training with the GB squad. In May its the Paralympic World Cup which is in London and is a test event for the Paralympics. After this tournament the GB squad that will compete in the Paralympics will be selected. This will feature 12 individuals with 2 reserves. I'm training hard to do all I can to be part of the team. It would be a great experience and honour to play in the Paralympics on home soil.
Once you finish playing the game, do you have any plans to coach?
I don't have any plans to coach Basketball after I finish playing. I'm a qualified Gym Instructor so I would like to go into the fitness side. I don't have any plans to retire yet.
Where do you hope/see yourself in 5 years time?
I hope to still be playing for a club/my country in 5 years time, I will be 34 then. 2016 will see the Paralympics take place in Brazil. I hope to be selected for the squad and compete at the games. After this I'm considering playing abroad, though this does depend on my family. My son will be 7 years old then and I need to ensure whatever I choose to do is the right decision for my family.
Do you receive any funding to support you as a Paralympic athlete?
As a Paralympic athlete the Great Britain team receive Lottery funding from UK Sport.
What support does the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association (GBWBA) give you/the team?
They are brilliant. They organise all the leagues and teams and are always on hand for support.
Has any individual/coach particularly supported/advised you?
Sinclair Thomas is the Assistant Coach of the Great Britain's men's team. He was also my club coach for 3 years so he knows my strengths and what I need to improve on. When I first started playing at the age of 13 Tina Gordan was a great support. She was my first coach at Sheffield Steelers and coached me until I was 19 years old.
What do you like to do when you are not competing/training?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I can be away from home a lot so I like to ensure I spend as much time with them when I'm at home. I enjoy going to the cinema and nights out.
Last Updated on Thursday, 03 May 2012 13:42
