Wheelchair Basketball in the UK is an inclusive sport – this means that disabled and non-disabled participants can play the sport and compete in the British Wheelchair Basketball domestic leagues.
Classification in the UK has two parts:
1 – Eligibility
2- Allocation of Classification (Sport Class)
Eligibility Criteria
Before an athlete is allocated a classification, they must demonstrate they have an Eligible Impairment for the sport.
BWB aligns to IWBF’s 2018 Eligibility criteria.
a) A wheelchair basketball must have a permanent disability, which in the opinion of BWB, reduces the function of the lower limbs to a degree where they cannot run, pivot or jump at the speed and with the control, safety, stability and endurance required to play running basketball as a non-disabled player.
b) The disability must be such that it can be objectively verified by acknowledged medical and/or paramedical investigations such as x-ray, CT, MRI, etc.
c) Persons who have had a hip or knee joint replacements and have provided confirmation of relevant surgery from their attending physician or surgeon and supporting x-rays/scans are deemed to have met the eligibility criteria.
d) In the instance of foot amputation, the minimal requirements for eligibility is total removal of the first ray of one foot:
e) In the instance of a leg length discrepancy the minimal requirement for Eligibility is 6cm difference in leg length as measured from the greater trochanter to the ground in a standing x-ray.
For the purpose of BWB Classification, degrees of pain are not considered measurable and permanent disabilities.
To start an Eligibility Application email membership@britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk
Allocation of a Classification
Once Eligibility is confirmed players are assigned a Classification from 1.0 – 4.5 based on their functional ability.
Non-disabled players and players who do not have an Eligible Impairment are assigned a classification of 5.0.
| Class | Characteristics |
| 1.0 | Little or no trunk movement in any plane. Balance in both forward and sideways directions is significantly impaired, and players rely on their arms to return them to the upright position when unbalanced. No active trunk rotation. |
| 2.0 | Some partially controlled trunk movement in the forward direction, but no controlled sideways movement. Has upper trunk rotation but poor lower trunk rotation. |
| 3.0 | Good trunk movement in the forward direction to the floor and up again without arm support. Has good trunk rotation but no controlled sideways movement. |
| 4.0 | Normal trunk movement but has difficulty with controlled sideways movement to one side, usually due to limitations in one lower limb. |
| 4.5 / 5.0 | Normal trunk movement in all directions and able to reach the side with no limitations |
Resources
BWB Eligibility and Classification Policy https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/mdocs-posts/eligibility-and-classification-policy/
