Wheelchair basketball elites from across Europe coming to Cork

Some of the most talented wheelchair basketball teams in Europe will arrive in Cork next month, as the Rebel Wheelers multi-sports club hosts the IWBF EuroCup Group 4 Qualifiers running from April 23 to April 26 at the Upper Glanmire Community Sports Hall.

The event will feature five elite European wheelchair basketball clubs which will be competing for advancement in one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport of wheelchair basketball.

Along with the Rebel Wheelers, the other teams taking part in the tournament include Megas Alexandros 1994 (Greece), Reading Rockets (United Kingdom), Sunrise Medical Shooters (Netherland), and GDD-Alcoitão (Portugal).

Celebration

Jerry O’Regan, tournament coordinator, said the event represents not just a major sporting occasion for Cork, but also a celebration of inclusion, empowerment, and athletic excellence.

“Rebel Wheelers has always focused on giving young people the opportunity to thrive through sport, and we are honoured to welcome Europe’s finest wheelchair basketball clubs to our home city,” Mr O’Regan said.

Founded in 2008, Rebel Wheelers is a club dedicated to empowering people with physical disabilities through sport.

Rebel Wheelers has grown from a handful of members to more than 70 athletes, ranging from children to adults.

The club also has a great track record of developing national level athletes, with multiple members representing Ireland across senior, U23, and U19 wheelchair basketball and European wheelchair rugby championships.

The Rebel Wheelers is also the only club in Ireland with two adult wheelchair basketball teams, with the senior team holding league and cup titles for the past three years.

There are matches currently scheduled to take place at the Upper Glanmire Community Sports Hall all throughout the day on April 24 and April 25.

Further information, including match schedules and volunteer opportunities, can be found by contacting the Rebel Wheelers on their social media pages.