“Its great to give them the space to come and play basketball and have fun”: The basketball club for people with learning disabilities

A Salford basketball team offering sporting opportunities to young people with learning disabilities has attracted members willing to take two trains and two buses, just to attend.

The Salford Knights are part of the DoSportUK initiative offering opportunities in sports to people with disabilities.

The team meet every Thursday evening at the Clarendon Leisure Centre, Liverpool Street, run by volunteer coaches.

Head coach Jacob Meaton first got involved in the club when he started coaching wheelchair basketball more than eight years ago. He was able to get involved through his job working with the ‘Special Olympics’, a programme working to improve the lives of people with intellectual difficulties.

The Salford team represent the Northwest region in the Special Olympics, where they see groups come together from London, the West Midlands and the East Midlands region.

Jacob said: “I’ve been running this for six years now and it’s been great. It’s about being able to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities.”

The weekly sessions cost £2, with the club relying mainly on grants for funding and solely focuses on giving the players opportunities.

Jacob added: “These guys don’t get the same opportunities as everyone else unfortunately.

“It’s great to give them the space to come and play basketball and have fun.”

It’s clear to see that everyone feels included in the team, with the focus being on the inclusivity for all.

The desire for inclusivity was a big reason for one player, Alex, to travel from Bolton every week. He said: “I have to get two trains and two buses to come.

“When I was in high school, I used to love basketball but didn’t want a fully developed team, I wanted to play for a disability one.”

The club has a sense of unity, with another player, George, who has been with them since the beginning adding: “I like the general vibes of this basketball team.

“Everyone is really supportive and friendly here. We have fantastic coaches and volunteers who help us to understand the rules of basketball.”

You can find out more about the team here