Have you ever played Wheelchair Basketball? People are being offered an opportunity to take up the sport or support their local team.
There are teams throughout the UK. The game is focus-driven, fast, active, exciting and involves great skill and determination.
I Read That.
On Saturday afternoons at Wonford Leisure Centre in Exeter, Exeter Otters train, and there is an open-door policy; anyone can go along and try the support. And you don’t have to have a disability to play.
Otters is an inclusive club that welcomes anyone who wants to try the sport.
Encouragement.
The team is encouraging people to come along and support the club when they play their home games. They play at Cranbrook Education Campus. Furthermore, there is no charge to watch the games.
Have you ever played Wheelchair Basketball? Exeter Otters is a big team. They are thriving and currently have 65 members, with a first-team playing in Division One, a second ‘development’ team, and a junior team.
So Why?
So why is Exeter Otters – the UK’s oldest wheelchair basketball club – doing so well? That’s partly thanks to the inspiration and enthusiasm of ex-professional player and coach Jack Davey, who has made Wonford Sports Centre in Exeter his second home.
Jack, who was born with a rare form of spina bifida, is passionate about the sport and its inclusive nature. But what does he enjoy most about wheelchair basketball?
In an interview with the BBC’s James Vickery, Jack said: “It sounds a bit weird, but I enjoy falling out of my chair! I like the physicality. The aspect of you are athletes at the end of the day, so you need to give 100% and me being very competitive, I like to win, so I enjoy that aspect.
“I describe the game itself as a chessboard. You need to move the right pieces to get the best shots possible rather than just throw up shots and hope for the best. There’s actually some strategy behind it to help your team win. It’s that side that I enjoy.”
I Remember.
I remember when I played for Aylesbury Aces. We played against Exeter Otters on a number of occasions. I don’t recall if Jack was involved then. I retired from the game over 10 years ago.
Away games to Exeter were challenging. Not because of the game, yes the game is tough, Otters are a good team, but the three-hour drive to the game added an extra strain to the day. Even if the motorways were clear.
However, playing Otters was fun. I even stayed down in Exeter a couple of times the night before the game to make it a bit easier on myself. Finding accommodation and staying down for the night gave me a chance to explore the City, using my wheelchair skills to see some new sites.
