WATCH: Inverness wheelchair basketball club want players for Scottish league debut
A WHEELCHAIR basketball club is appealing for new players to join them to help realise their ambitions of playing in the Scottish league for the first time.
Inverness City Lions are set to enter the Scottish Wheelchair Basketball League which is due to get started next month.
However, for them to be able to play in the competition, the club are looking to build up a big enough squad which will enable them to compete in the competition this season.
The club currently have 10 players in the squad, but they are looking for at least 15, both men and women, before the start of the new season.
Head coach Bryan Stevens re-established the club after the Covid pandemic.
He is encouraged with the number of players already at Inverness Lions. But he says they need more players to join them for the Scottish League campaign.
“We officially formed in April last year. I started off with a couple of us after Covid and found out more people wanted to get into sport.
“We have a good group of people at the club, but to go into the national league we need more players.”
Stevens, who played wheelchair basketball in England for Bristol Pirates earlier in his career, says players do not need to be disabled to take part in the sport.
He said: “A misconception is that you need a disability to play wheelchair basketball, but you don’t.
“Everyone is welcome to come along and join in our two sessions a week.”
The Scottish league is set to consist of four teams.
But it is also planned to play against teams in the Northern Division in England.
Teams will consist of both men and women of all abilities.
Stevens says the players enjoy being part of the club and getting involved in competitive sport.
He said: “There are great aspects with it such as recreational fitness and socialising that also helps with mental and physical health.
“There is a great camaraderie with everyone at the club and we have some good established players.”
Stevens added: “We also have a junior club as well, so anyone under the age of 16 is more than welcome to give it a try.”
n For more information visit the Inverness Lions Basketball Club Facebook site.