Four Teams. Seven Thousand Conversations. One Incredible Day at Trafalgar Square.
Today, four junior wheelchair basketball teams took to the court at the Jr. NBA 3v3 Finals in Trafalgar Square. For many watching, it was an exciting showcase of inclusive sport. For us at London Titans Wheelchair Basketball Club, it represented something much bigger.
It was the culmination of five months of work to prove that wheelchair basketball has a future in London and the whole of the UK, but only if we build it together.
Since February, our dedicated project team has contacted more than 7,000 schools, youth groups, disability organisations, charities and community partners across London and beyond. Every email, phone call, presentation and conversation had one goal: introduce more young people to wheelchair basketball and create opportunities where none previously existed.
Why? Because the reality is stark.
In 2012, the UK had around 35 junior wheelchair basketball teams. Today, that number has fallen to just seven. As the UK's largest wheelchair basketball club, London Titans knew we couldn't simply watch that decline continue.
Thanks to funding from London Marathon Foundation and support of the awesome team at London Marathon Events we've been able to lead a project focused on growing awareness, removing barriers to participation, and giving young people the chance to discover a sport that can genuinely change lives.
Today's event showed exactly why that work matters.
Players who had never experienced wheelchair basketball just months ago competed on one of London's most iconic sporting stages. Families cheered from the sidelines. New friendships were formed. Confidence grew with every possession. And the public had the opportunity to see firsthand the skill, speed and excitement of wheelchair basketball.
This wasn't simply about today's games.
It was about showing every young disabled person, and every school, parent and organisation that there is a place for them in our sport.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our partners, volunteers, coaches, officials and everyone who helped spread the word. Thank you to every school, charity, youth group and organisation that opened our emails, shared our message or encouraged a young person to give wheelchair basketball a try. Your support has been invaluable.
But our work doesn't stop here.
This event is just the beginning. We need more clubs, more school partnerships, more volunteers, more advocates and, most importantly, more young people discovering what wheelchair basketball can offer. If today's atmosphere in Trafalgar Square proved anything , (despite the heat), it's that the appetite is there.
Now we need to turn that excitement into lasting opportunities.
If you're a school, youth organisation, disability charity or community group interested in introducing wheelchair basketball to your young people, we'd love to hear from you. Likewise, if you're a young person looking to try something new, you're always welcome at our junior and development Saturday sessions at Aspire Leisure Centre. No experience is necessary, we'll provide the equipment, coaching and a warm welcome.
Together, we can reverse the decline in junior wheelchair basketball and create a stronger future for the next generation.
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