Through our partnership with the BSB and the BPRSV, as well as the Cottbus Para Sports Center, the Red Rollers’ coach, Jens Neumann, reached out to us and asked for support. Since we also have several basketball players among our patients, a collaboration was formed. This partnership involves financial sponsorship, which we use specifically to support the Red Rollers on their away games. We also assist them with the maintenance and repair of their sports wheelchairs. Since we also have flyers with practice times and game announcements available in Building 2 and an informational and promotional video playing there, we’re also helping to promote them. You can follow the team’s progress and news on our website. Our managing director, Markus Geisler, and our rehabilitation technician, Lennart Barner, have already attended a Red Rollers practice and gotten to know the team.
Anyone interested in wheelchair basketball who wants to take on the challenge of playing in a wheelchair is welcome to participate in a trial practice. People without disabilities who are interested in ball sports are also welcome to participate. Our sponsorship is visible through our company logo on the wheelchairs and on the jerseys.
What is wheelchair basketball?
Wheelchair basketball is a sport for people with disabilities and a Paralympic discipline. In addition to people with physical disabilities, able-bodied individuals are also allowed to participate in national competitions. The rules are those of traditional basketball; they have been adapted in only a few specific areas to accommodate the use of wheelchairs. One of the most important of these is the classification system, which levels the playing field between players with varying degrees of disability.
History
Wheelchair basketball was invented in 1946 by former basketball players in the U.S. who wanted to continue playing their sport despite war injuries. It is now played in an estimated 80 countries by over 25,000 men and women with disabilities (and, in some cases, without disabilities).
The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is the international governing body. Since 1993, it has been an independent sports organization with over 50 member nations. Wheelchair basketball has been a Paralympic sport since the 1960 Paralympics in Rome.
International Competitions
Wheelchair basketball has been part of the Summer Paralympics since 1960. At the first two Paralympics, medals were still awarded in two separate categories. Since the 1968 Games, there has been only one category. The United States and Canada have traditionally been among the strongest teams. Germany’s men’s team won a silver medal in 1992. European Championships have been held since 1970 for men and since 1974 for women. World Championships have been held since 1973 for men and since 1990 for women. The German women’s team consistently ranks among the world’s best.
Contact
Steve Kolkwitz
MOBILE +49 160 827 6752
EMAIL info@rbb-cottbus.de
WEB www.rbb-cottbus.de