A Salford basketball club offering opportunities to people with disabilities is set to take part in an inclusive nationwide tournament.
Community interest company DOSportUK have joined forces with Special Olympics Great Britain to launch a basketball series for neurodivergent and disabled people, which will begin on February 28 in Nottingham.
Salford Knights, a disability-focused and inclusive basketball team providing a welcoming environment for people who are neurodivergent to enjoy themselves, are set to compete in the upcoming campaign.
Operating through DOSportUK, they provide weekly sessions at Eccles Sixth Form College in Salford, aiming to develop basketball skills and team building in a supportive environment.
“Everyone can come and play at the same level, as long as you’ve got a ball in your hands, said Jacob Meaton, managing director of DOSportUK
Every Tuesday evening a team of coaches and volunteers host sessions that include drills, mini games and movement exercises, developing coordination, team working and game sense.
“It develops hand eye coordination and we’re tackling some of the health inequalities that people with disabilities and or autism can face,” he added.
Along with rudimentary basketball skills, the sessions encourage socialising and confidence building, with members able to form new connections and community that values and celebrates its members.
Jacob added: For some of these guys just coming in and working as a group is a huge achievement and then to watch them develop within that space is pretty cool”.
DOSportUK have partnered with Special Olympics Great Britain to deliver the DOSportUK x SOGB Basketball Series, The regional tournaments are set to take place in Nottingham, Sheffield and Loughborough over the coming months.
“Sometimes actually coming to a weekly session is more than enough for people who aren’t worried about winning or losing games but it’s the nice and shiny end of what we do”
The tournaments are part of a wider initiative to broaden the player base for individuals who are neurodivergent who may feel different or isolated while playing sports.
“We find other people around the country asking us where their local sessions are, it’s great for encouraging more people to start doing it.”
“To wear the kit, to have the team logo on your chest and have that sense of team and community is a real pull factor for members.”
The Salford Knights will be heading to their first tournament at the University of Nottingham on the 28th of February.
You can read more about their upcoming events at https://www.dosportuk.co.uk/events
