Wheelchair basketball club looks for support to grow ‘inclusive family’

A wheelchair basketball club which was formed 35 years ago and has developed some of the country’s top talents is looking for support so it can continue to grow its ‘inclusive family’. 

Hampshire Harriers train twice a week in Southampton and has 20 members aged between 12 and 70 of all abilities and backgrounds. 

The Harriers have been playing competitively in the British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB) league for some time and also compete in the newly formed English and Welsh Wheelchair Basketball tournament, which takes place four times a year in Egham. 

The club is entirely self funded, with expenses including hiring a sports hall for training and games, paying officials on match days and buying and maintaining equipment. 

Membership subscriptions aren’t currently covering the costs needed to run the club. 

Next season Hampshire wants to go to greater expense to further develop their increasing roster by entering two teams into the BWB league- Harriers Thunder and Lightning- with each player getting new custom kits. 

“We’re a big family here and want to help everyone improve their fitness and gain confidence socially” said Harriers head coach Mark Dent. 

“We’ve always been an inclusive group and want to continue to provide the best setting for people.”

The club has acted as a pathway to progress for talented athletes in recent years with several Harriers players, including Mark’s son Brad, going on to play for their country at various age groups. 

Other Harriers members who have gone on to represent their country include TJ Yates and Mark Fosbrook, while former player Sam Hill is currently signed up for Cardiff Metropolitan Archers in the BWB Women’s Premier League, the first professional disability sports competition in the UK. 

Mark added he’s proud of what the club has achieved over the years and felt introducing two new teams will be the best way to cater for anyone who comes through the door. 

“Next year we’ll be splitting our current team in half and bringing some of our newer players into each group, I’ve never liked the idea of first and second teams we’re one big group that supports each other and I’m sure both our new teams will be successful.”

The club train at the Oasis Mayfield Academy in Southampton every Wednesday and Sunday. 

Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/hampshire-harriers-wheelchair-basketball-team to donate or search for Hampshire Harriers on Facebook for more information on how to join.