BRANTFORD Spoke Benders came out on top winning the 25th Wheelchair Basketball Tournament here on Saturday.
“This is a first,” said Spoke Benders’ captain Nichole Anderson. “I think we had won the consolation round one year, but never, never in the championship bracket.”
The fundraising wheelchair basketball tournament, held at the Branlyn Community Centre, supports Brantwood Community Services and Participation Support Services.
“First time after the break, we’re very pleased,” said co-organizer Tracy Humphrey, director of services, Brantwood Community Services. “Lots of smiles, lots of laughter. Lots of stories being shared about previous years. People were excited to get back.”
“Honestly, I think the best thing about this tournament is getting to have fun in a wheelchair. It’s so exciting to be back,” said Anderson, noting the Spoke Benders raised $1,100 in pledges. “You have to have some technique and be able to maneuver in a wheelchair.”
“It’s all about maneuvering the chair,” said co-organizer Doug Hunt, director of Fundraising, Marketing and Volunteers at Participation Support Services.
“In the standup (basketball) game, it’s all about jumping and blocking. This game is about maneuvering the chair and positioning. There’s a lot of strategy. If anyone’s seen it in the Paralympics, it’s an incredible sport to watch.”
“I think it kind of levels everybody,” said Alex McLellan, a player on the Onondaga Volunteer Fire Department (Brant Station 6) team. “You can be tall or short and you can play wheelchair basketball. It’s something different and it helps that we’re supporting charity too.”
“It’s a neat event and it’s for a great cause,” said Onondaga Volunteer Fire Department teammate Robert Mercer.
“We’re very pleased to have 10 teams out,” said Hunt. “You can see everybody, not normally in a wheelchair, having a wonderful time. It gives them a better perspective on who our two organizations are and what we represent. It sort of gives them a good idea who they are raising funds for and puts them in a chair for a little while.”
Teams paid $400 registration and players were encouraged to collect pledges. In total, the tournament raised more than $6,500 to be shared by Participation Support Services, which services persons with disabilities in the community, and Brantwood Community Services, which supports adults with developmental disabilities.
“For Brantwood, all the money we fundraise, we use it to buy wheelchair accessible vehicles,” said Humphrey. “So that enables people to get out in their communities.”
Another Round, this year’s consolation winner, was the top fundraising team.
The Snackbar, sponsored by Brantford Lions Club, raised more than $200 for Branlyn Neighborhood Association community events.
“The Branlyn Neighborhood Association and the Brantford Lions Club are our main sponsors,” said Hunt.
The tournament was also supported by the Brant Norfolk Basketball Officials Association.