5
International Sport Structure
Wheelchair basketball is a growing sport, here in the US and internationally. In response, the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWFB) formed to manage the sport worldwide. This international governing body has existed in one way or another since 1973, and serves as the only recognized international body for the sport and is officially recognized the by the International Paralympic Committee.
The IWFB is divided into four divisions: IWBF Americas, IWBF Europe, IWBF Asia Oceania, and IWBF Africa. Within these regions, individual countries have domestic leagues managed by their own governing bodies. In the United States for example, the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) is the officially recognized league. There are 181 teams competing at various levels from youth leagues to professional teams.
Many developing countries do not have organized leagues as wheelchairs can be expensive and some areas lack the proper resources. The IWFB is working to spread the sport to various regions of the world to promote adaptive athletics as a basic human right.
Our Experience
The experience of playing wheelchair basketball was both enjoyable and informative. Originally apprehensive and unsure of the rules of the game, we eventually took to the experience. We met members from two of the wheelchair basketball teams in the league - the New England Blazers and the NEVPA (New England Paralyzed Veterans of America) Celtics. We used wheelchairs provided by the league. These chairs were outfitted for sports and had bumpers on the frame to prevent aggressive collisions. Fortunately, our entire group was able to play at the same time. We gained an appreciation for the advanced skill set needed to play the game by being run through the same drills that the players go through during practice. Our group took on a team of five Celtics in a full court game. We were soundly beaten, but the experience of participating in an actual game was very enjoyable for all involved. We went onto the court without an expectation for what we were going to participate in, but we quickly realized that wheelchair basketball is its own, and very valid, sport. It requires unique strategies and athletic talents for success. The experience of actually playing the sport was a formative experience that has helped our group better understand the complexity of the sport and the experiences of the athletes. The players who were helping us learn the game made sure to keep us included, and the experience was valuable for both learning and enjoying the game. We left the court that day with an appreciation for the sport and the athletes we met. We are excited to bring wheelchair basketball to Brown.
Athlete Spotlight: Ade Adepitan
Ade Adepitan is a British wheelchair basketball player known for his success in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic games. Born in Nigeria in 1973, Adepitan contradicted polio as an infant, which led to paralysis of his left leg. His family moved to the United Kingdom at the age of three, where Adepitan pursued his dream of becoming a professional athlete. .
After playing wheelchair basketball in school, the young sportsman grew up and eventually began taking athletics more seriously. In 2004, Adepitan played in his first Paralympic Games in Athens, claiming a gold medal in men’s wheelchair basketball. Basketball is not his only sport, however; Adepitan has since won gold in wheelchair tennis and dance. He is a celebrated athlete in the United Kingdom and is well-known for supporting charitable causes and promoting disability in sport