Wheelchair Basketball Comes to Greenbank Sports Academy with Inspire a Generation
Greenbank Sports Academy is delighted to be delivering a new Inspire a Generation Wheelchair Basketball programme, giving disabled and non-disabled people the opportunity to discover one of the world’s most exciting inclusive sports.
The first six-week block begins on Friday 2 October 2026 at Greenbank Sports Academy, Liverpool, with sessions designed to provide a friendly and welcoming introduction to wheelchair basketball.
You do not need to be a wheelchair user to take part, and no previous basketball experience is required. The sessions are open to disabled and non-disabled participants who would like to try the sport, become more active, develop new skills and meet new people.
What is wheelchair basketball?
Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced team sport based on basketball, with players using specially designed sports wheelchairs to move around the court.
The fundamental aim is familiar to anyone who has played or watched basketball: two teams compete to score points by getting the ball through their opponents’ basket while defending their own.
Players pass, shoot, dribble and manoeuvre their chairs around the court, combining basketball skills with speed, control, communication and teamwork. Rules have been adapted to account for the use of wheelchairs, including how players move with the ball.
One of the great strengths of wheelchair basketball is its inclusive nature. At recreational and community level, people with a wide range of abilities can enjoy the sport together. Participants do not necessarily need to use a wheelchair in their everyday lives.
This makes the Greenbank sessions an ideal opportunity for anyone who has ever wondered what wheelchair basketball is like to come along and experience it for themselves.
Inspire a Generation at Greenbank
The sessions form part of Inspire a Generation, powered by British Wheelchair Basketball and supported by funding partners including The National Lottery, Sport England and Motability.
At Greenbank, our focus will be on making the sessions enjoyable, accessible and welcoming. Participants will be supported to learn the fundamentals of the game at their own pace, including chair movement and control, passing and catching, shooting, teamwork and game play.
There will also be opportunities for guest appearances from GB Paralympians, giving participants the chance to meet and learn from people with experience at the highest levels of disability sport.
Session dates
The first block will run on Fridays at Greenbank Sports Academy, Greenbank Lane, Liverpool, L17 1AG:
- 2 October 2026: 5:00pm–7:00pm
- 9 October 2026: 5:00pm–6:00pm
- 16 October 2026: 4:00pm–6:00pm
- 23 October 2026: 4:00pm–6:00pm
- 30 October 2026: 4:00pm–6:00pm
- 6 November 2026: 4:00pm–6:00pm
Sessions cost £3 per person, with the first session FREE.
A further funded six-week block is planned following these initial sessions, with Greenbank aiming to build on the programme and develop a sustainable wheelchair basketball opportunity for the future.
Building towards Liverpool 2027
The programme comes at an exciting time for wheelchair basketball in the city, with Liverpool hosting the European Wheelchair Basketball Championships from 11–19 September 2027.
Bringing introductory opportunities into the community ahead of the Championships can help more local people discover the sport, whether they ultimately want to play regularly, volunteer, support the sport or simply experience something new.
Greenbank already has strong connections with wheelchair basketball. Liverpool-born GB international and Paralympian Abdi Jama, a 1-point player, trains at Greenbank Sports Academy and considers the venue his sporting home.
The new sessions provide another opportunity to build on that connection and inspire the next generation.
Everyone is welcome
Greenbank Sports Academy has a longstanding commitment to making sport and physical activity accessible to as many people as possible.
These sessions reflect that approach. Disabled and non-disabled people can participate together, and you don’t need specialist knowledge or experience before attending.
Come along, get into a sports wheelchair, pick up a basketball and give it a go.
Play. Learn. Belong. Achieve.
For more information or to register your interest, contact the Greenbank Sports Academy team:
Telephone: 0151 280 7757
Email: sports.academy@greenbank.org.uk
Venue: Greenbank Sports Academy, Greenbank Lane, Liverpool, L17 1AG
Come along and be part of the next generation of inclusive sport.