When was wheelchair basketball introduced

In , the first international competition of Wheelchair Basketball was played at Stoke Mandeville. The game quickly grew throughout Europe, Asia and Australia thus encouraging the establishment of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation in , a fully independent world governing body. It is now played in over 80 countries with over ,00 players at all levels over the globe. Now in its 25th season the league has seen some great names on our courts and go on to play for Australia and other International Leagues.

The annual event would become known as the International Stoke Mandeville Games, a predecessor to the modern-day Paralympic Games. The Paralympic Games are the pinnacle event for world-class athletes with a physical disability and one of the largest multi-sport competitions in the world.

The first Paralympic Games took place in Rome, Italy in Wheelchair basketball was one of eight sports that debuted at the first Paralympic Games. Today, wheelchair basketball is one of the premiere sports contested at the Paralympic Summer Games. The World Wheelchair Basketball Championship, formerly known as the Gold Cup, is an independent international wheelchair basketball competition.

The first World Championship for Women took place in St. Etienne, France in Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Organized wheelchair basketball has been played in Canada since the s. The game was specifically adapted so that the servicemen could still play and enjoy team sports. Growth in both the number of wheelchair events and participants came quickly. The popularity of the sport in the USA began spreading worldwide and in the touring American team introduced wheelchair basketball to England.