“About Us”
The Knights are a registered Charity set up in 1990 to provide opportunities for disabled people to get involved in team sport. The Knights promote a healthy lifestyle for disabled people and encourage social inclusion.
Today the club has over 50 players coming from various parts of Northern Ireland ranging from total beginners up to elite players. The club has players aged 7yrs – mid forties and caters for both male/female (wheelchair basketball is a mixed sport right up until International level). The Knights have around 20 volunteers who give up their time to ensure that the Knights commitments and activities run smoothly.
You do not have to be a permanent wheelchair user to play wheelchair basketball. The majority of the Knights players are those with lower limb disabilities e.g. Amputees, Paraplegic, Spina Bifida, however those with minimal disabilities also play e.g. permanent sports injuries and the club also has several non-disabled players training/competing at various levels within the club.
The Clubs main training venue is Antrim Forum Sports Centre, Lough Rd, Antrim. There are weekly training sessions throughout the Basketball season, September – May:-
Tuesday’s – 7:00 – 8.30pm - Junior Training
Tuesday's - 8:30 - 10:00pm - Development
Thursday’s – 6:00 – 8:00pm – Senior Team
Saturday's - 11:00 - 1:00pm - Junior Development (Girls Model School, Belfast)
The Knights are committed to the development of the sport and have extended our Junior Development Programme with the introduction of Saturday activities in the Girls Model School, Belfast. New players are always welcome; just simply contact the club through the enquire page on the website. The club has a number of ‘Club sports chairs’ for new players to try out.
GB Junior League – These are under 15 and 19 leagues played in various venues in England. Our teams travel across 3-4 times per season to compete.
GB Senior League – This is the national league for wheelchair basketball and has over 40 teams from across the UK split into several divisions. The Knights compete in the GB Super League, which is the highest level of club competition. This is played on a home & away basis, with the Knights traveling over to GB several times per season and then playing the corresponding home games in at various venues across Northern Ireland.
Irish League - The Irish League is split into 2 Divisions, based on ability. The Knights have one team in each Division. Most of the games are played in the IWA in Dublin.
UK Regional Junior Championships – This is a UK wide, 1 off competition each season and features two competition levels – Under 15’s and Under 19’s. As the Knights are the only club team in Northern Ireland, we enter NI teams into this competition.
Further A field - The Senior team has also competed in many overseas tournaments including, Poland, Israel, Sweden, Austria, Canada, France, Denmark, Germany & Portugal.
Several Knights players also have international experience both with GB and Ireland.
Funding - The Club does not have a permanent sponsor and hence relies on club/individual fund raising events as well as Members individual subscription fees to sustain the club's activities. The Junior team receives support from Sport NI and the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association. We have recently received funding from Lloyds TSB Foundation for NI to enhance the development of players between junior and senior level.
Sponsoring Opportunities - The club is currently seeking a sponsorship and would be pleased to speak to anyone interested in providing support at all levels, please use the enquiry area to make contact.