Wheelchair basketball : a sport for everyone

Abstract

This study is created to reflect the current situation and the development of Wheelchair Basketball in Malta. Locally, it can be an asset and instrumental for inclusion. For this study, the researcher used interviews to gather the information from six different individuals, all coming from the environment of Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball; players with different abilities, non-disabled players, a coach and a representative of the Malta Basketball Association (M.B.A). The information collected narrates every individual’s opinion with respect to several conditions, centred on their distinct subjective experience; their evaluation of the present situation; and similarly their recommendations of what can be done to improve the sport, and try to reduce barriers and challenges that all involved face. The consideration of the national entity being the M.B.A will be explored to seek the position of Wheelchair Basketball within the game of basketball. Through this study, the author is aiming to intensify awareness and motivate all-ability persons, these being persons with different abilities, and nondisabled people to involve them in a healthy and energetic way of life with this new all ability sport. The author offers an amount of recommendations for the benefit of Wheelchair Basketball that can be considered a new all-ability sport. Recommendations that incorporate, first and foremost, that all stake holders, Malta Wheelchair Basketball Association (M.W.B.A), M.B.A, Government Authorities and Basketball Clubs do their part to help the sport to improve; that an adequate transport system is set up to help persons with different abilities who do not drive or have transport of their own can get to the training venue in a suitable way, a long term strategy to invest in Wheelchair Basketball in Malta and various other recommendations.