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Wheelchair Basketball
What is it?
Wheelchair basketball is the most exciting and popular of the Paralympic sports sometimes through it’s spectacular spills but more often through the incredible skills on exhibit. Beginning soon after the Second World War the games development has been related to the intense desire for individuals, especially the thousands of war veterans who suffered spinal damage, to live and to play. Since then basketball may well have become the highest wheelchair participation sport internationally given there are at least 74 affiliated countries and 100,000 registered players. To witness these athletes control the ball, their wheelchairs and the flow of the game at high speed is an experience not to be missed. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) governs the game internationally under the broad umbrella of FIBA. Within New Zealand Basketball NZ is the National Sports Organisation with Wheelchair Basketball New Zealand (WBNZ) being governing body to which players belong.
In New Zealand the sport became a regular event at Parafed and other tournaments from around 1979. The expected regional competitiveness saw Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington regions have their days in the sun as dominant National Champions over the years with Wellington practically unbeatable from 1986-89. Local players have gone on to become important members of both the Men and Women’s National Teams.
What happens in Wellington?
Seasonally our once-a-week (normally 7-9pm Tues or Wed) practice evenings begin around Easter in April and carry through to Nationals at Labour Weekend in October. Sessions are usually held at Wellington Girls College with entry off the Murphy Street (a southern motorway exit) Sports Entrance and a $2 door fee. Some club wheelchairs are available if sufficient notice is given. There may be pre and/or post-season events held to work in with other disability groups, able-bodied organisations or the training needs of our elite players. Practices may be missed on occasion due to competition commitments.
The regional team has an experienced coach and a mix of new and veteran players. The team travels to WBNZ Southern Zone League events in cities such as Christchurch, Invercargill, Blenheim and Nelson as well as Nationals wherever they are held. Funding is sought through Parafed Wellington and Wellington Basketball Association but personal contributions are expected for most events. Contact below if you want to be involved.
How is it played?
Practically all the rules and regulations of standard basketball are used in the wheelchair version. The courts, clocks, baskets and balls are also shared and wheelchair tournaments are often incorporated into existing able-bodied events. Apart from the wheelchairs themselves the only other obvious differences one might notice are the absence of a double-dribble violation, a team points requirement (see Classification explanation below) and some collision/blocking calls. Qualified referees are soon able to pick up the wheelchair differences and bench staff the various signals that accompany them.
Who can play?
In New Zealand, as with most countries, anyone is encouraged to participate in our game at club, local and even to regional level. Without the involvement of friends, family and other “able-bodied” supporters the fun and social benefits of the game suffer immensely. Modern basketball wheelchairs are very safe, sophisticated and expensive machines designed to allow players to achieve their full physical potential. On the other hand in order to play internationally under the auspices of IWBF certain eligibility standards, including that of “minimal disability” must be met.
An eligible wheelchair basketball player cannot run, pivot or jump with the speed or control, safety, stability or endurance of an able-bodied player. Generally they will exhibit a permanent physical problem in the lower limbs with this verified medically. There will often be a wide range of physical attributes in a team. By having a points system of player classification and a rule of team points balance, the outcome of games is based more on athletic and team ability rather than pure physical advantage.
Classification
Wheelchair basketball classification is the grouping of players into categories (classes). This idea is also applied in other sports such as swimming and athletics but the closest ties are with tennis. Both basketball and tennis rely on actual game situations and observations to finalise a player’s class. The purpose within basketball is to ensure all eligible players have an equal opportunity to play the game and fill a role in a team. The class is determined by a player’s physical potential to execute the fundimental basketball skills and movements. These skills include pushing, braking, passing, dribbling, shooting, rebounding and reaction to contact.
Experienced classifiers trained in the IWBF system carry out classification. Players within a single class may exhibit different abilities to the untrained eye and the skill of classification is to remove elements of player experience, talent and age from the assessment process. Other factors such as upper limb involvement, prosthetics, strapping techniques and surgical interventions (eg spinal rods) must also be considered.
Players are assigned a class from 1.0 (players with severly compromised function) through to 4.5 (minimal or least restriction) in 0.5-point increments. Internationally the team total must be 14 points or less during play. Basketball remains unique in this much-evolved system and it’s ability to open this spectacular game to the widest group of athletes.
Contact
Geoff Palmer (coach) Ph 236 0220Email: geoffreypalmer@paradise.net.nz
Parafed Wellington (Secretary) Ph 233 0226 Email: parafed.wlg@xtra.co.nz