Photo Credit @carlrobertson.cardiffmetpics
Disability Sport Wales and British Wheelchair Basketball are proud to announce a three-year partnership focused on the delivery of an exciting new club competition: the Cymru Classic. This annual wheelchair basketball tournament will debut in July 2025 as a flagship feature of the Para Sport Festival, supported by Welsh Government. Building on the success of the last three years, the Para Sport Festival returns for another three years, with Wheelchair Basketball appearing for the first time in 2025, and will return in 2026 and 2027.
The Cymru Classic is set to become a premier showcase of wheelchair basketball talent, featuring current Premiership and Division 1 teams from across the UK. Designed to deliver high-intensity, elite-level club competition, the event will spotlight the strength and depth of domestic talent while providing an opportunity for spectators and aspiring athletes to engage with the sport at its highest level.
“This partnership is a significant milestone for Disability Sport Wales,” said Robyn Wilkins, Para Sport Festival Senior Officer of Disability Sport Wales. “The Cymru Classic will bring together elite competition and community engagement, reflecting our ongoing commitment to creating more opportunities for disabled people to engage in high-quality physical activity (including sport). We are thrilled to collaborate with British Wheelchair Basketball to bring this vision to life.”
Nathan Stephens, Head of Performance Development at Disability Sport Wales added, “the Cymru Classic is a fantastic opportunity to showcase wheelchair basketball in Wales, and we're incredibly excited to welcome some of the UK’s top club sides to compete. This partnership with British Wheelchair Basketball strengthens our commitment to providing high-performance pathways for athletes in Wales, while also inspiring the next generation of players through this multi-year commitment.”
Jo Rutavičius, Participation Director of British Wheelchair Basketball, added: “We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Disability Sport Wales on the Cymru Classic, a vital addition to the wheelchair basketball calendar for our Division 1 and Premier League teams over the next three years. This event will deliver a premier competition both on and off the court, highlighting the exceptional talent we have here in the UK. Being part of the Para Sport Festival in a multi-sport setting presents an exciting opportunity for the sport, and we eagerly anticipate our teams taking to the court in this prestigious event.
Details of the inaugural Cymru Classic, including team line-ups, ticketing, and venue information, will be released in the coming weeks. Keep up to date with the whole schedule at https://www.parasportfestival.co.uk/
Any British Wheelchair Basketball Division 1 or Premier Teams that are interested in participating can contact membership@britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk
