FIMBA GB Masters are delighted to announce the launch of the first ever Masters Great Britain Wheelchair basketball team.
Having won 9 European and 9 World medals since 2022 in the running game, the inclusion of a Wheelchair team to FIMBA GB brings the total to 16 age group teams (from 35-70+) across the Men’s, Women’s and of course now Wheelchair categories.
Following the successful inclusion of Wheelchair athletes to the GB Masters in 2024, participation grew in 2025 and it became evident there was an appetite for Masters wheelchair players wanting to continue playing at a high level. With the recent merger of FIMBA GB and GB Masters, the British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB) extended the partnership to include an international section, and the concept was created.
The BWB have been incredibly helpful and supportive in helping getting this initiative up and running, we’re looking forward to working closer with them as we build a wider Masters Wheelchair Basketball community.
Bruce Lauder – FIMBA GB Masters Head of Wheelchair Basketball
FIMBA GB have also been working with Greenbank Sports Academy in Liverpool and the Wheelchair team will be based there. The Academy is run by Greenbank, a Liverpool based registered charity, which has operated since 1983, and their mission is to support people to achieve their potential through inclusive education, sport and leisure activities.
The Academy is very focussed on disabled sport and is already home to a Paralympic Wheelchair medallist as well as offering a diverse Inclusive Sports & Activity Programme, a fully equipped gym with specialist equipment for disabled people, Sports and recreation sessions for disabled children during school holidays and access to several accessible hotels and rooms, it will form a great home for the FIMBA GB Wheelchair team as it develops.
We are delighted to work with Mark and the team at Greenbank Sports Academy, thanks to committee member Des Williams for making the contact. The team there are really focussed on wheelchair sport and helping the disabled community in general – whether that’s support finding jobs or just the opportunity to try and enjoy sport, which is so important for mental health. They were referred to as being a family and deeply invested in the community, so it was an obvious partner and we’re delighted they’ve joined the FIMBA GB Family.
Bruce Lauder
Car adaptation specialist, Mobility in Motion (MiM), will also be partnering with the FIMBA GB Wheelchair Squad, supporting behind the scenes, as well as ensuring the players have access to the correct adaptations and advice when it comes to driving with a disability. MiM already work closely with Paralympian Robyn Love, and sports charity Wheelpower so are no strangers to wheelchair sports.
Mobility in Motion are the market leaders in car adaptations and a natural partner to support us. They are so active in the disabled community and support in changing lives every day, so we’re delighted to have them on board and look forward to working together to help grow the awareness of wheelchair sport and driving with disabilities.
Bruce Lauder
The first trials will be on Sunday 7th September from 12-3pm, at Greenbank Sports Academy and are open to any current wheelchair basketball players aged 39 and above, who wants the opportunity to represent Great Britain in the first International Masters Wheelchair Tournament next summer. If you are interested in getting involved as a player, coach, team manager, physio or support staff, simply complete the FIMBA GB Masters Registration form by clicking here.
We are so excited to add the Wheelchair category to the FIMBA GB Family. Seeing the benefit on mental and physical health that playing for FIMBA GB has on the running game athletes, we had to include Wheelchair. We have big plans across the age groups and the inclusion of Wheelchair only strengthens our offer, so we can be truly inclusive. We now have men’s player from 35 to 70+, women’s from 35-65+, a leg amputee playing the running game and now Wheelchair so can say with great pride that the game never stops.
Bruce Lauder
