Brahe Wheelers is meant to move

The year is 2021. Lena Nordquist and Carina Forell are awarded a stipend to start wheelchair basketball in Jönköping/Huskvarna. Lena has a background as a professional wheelchair basketball player in both the Swedish and American leagues. Among other things, she has won the American championship title! Carina has a daughter who has been a pro in the top leagues around the world. There’s no doubt they’re passionate about wheelchair basketball.

 

Everyone can play wheelchair basketball

Wheelchair basketball is one of the world’s most inclusive sports, with opportunities to participate in women’s, men’s, or mixed teams, with or without functional variations, and for players of all ages. In Germany, Lena explains, where there are six wheelchair basketball leagues, about half of the players are essentially uninjured. Some players with minor injuries, like a torn ACL, choose to play wheelchair basketball during rehab. Former national team players have the opportunity to start a new career as wheelchair players when their regular career ends.

 

Points based on functional impairment

Players are classified by functional impairment into groups of between 1 and 4.5 points. The lowest score (1) is for players paralyzed from the chest down, and the highest score (4.5) for players who are mildly paralyzed and healthy. During a wheelchair game, a national team can have a total of 14 points on the field at the same time, but during the Swedish Championships, teams can have a total of 15 points.

 

Athletes travel many miles to train

For wheelchair users, there aren’t many sports activities to choose from if you live in Jönköping County and surrounding areas. Many of the players travel up to 100 kilometers one way to participate. At a regular practice, there are anywhere from 4 to 10 people. The goal is league play, but so far, they have been content to participate in tournaments. The team’s players are men and women between the ages of 22 and 40.

 

 

Not a sport for the faint-hearted

Wheelchair basketball is an intense sport when played at a high level. It’s rough, the close combats are tight, and wheelchairs occasionally tip over. Both physical and mental strength is required to become a skilled wheelchair basketball player. Lena explains that even if many think it’s a sport solely for people with disabilities, you’re welcome as a player even without a functional variation. The scoring system ensures fairness on the court.

 

Wheelchair basketball needs sponsors

Just like motorsport, wheelchair basketball relies on equipment. Or as Lena puts it:"

You cant play with subpar equipment. To reach a higher level, you need good competition equipment and sponsors." 

Basketball builds people up. “As a person with a disability, I belong to a forgotten part of society,” Lena says. “We are increasingly marginalized in all respects. Having the opportunity to train means more than just physical activity. Brahe Wheelers is a social event. You meet other people in wheelchairs, you build team spirit, and in a way, you unite people who often feel they’ve lost everything. Through us, they can in some ways get their lives back.”

 

 

Dreams of the national team

One of the players in Brahe Wheelers is Simon Hildingsson. He has been playing in the team for two years but he played for 10 years in his driveway before that. His goal is clear: “I dream of playing for the national team.” As proof of his talent, he, together with his teammate Ola Algotsson, has been selected for Sweden’s development team. We wish the entire team the best of luck!