Winter Camp Experience 2024
The BEN Foundation is organizing their third international wheelchair basketball camp hosted by experienced coaches and players in the Netherlands, in cooperation with the Johan Cruyff Foundation at 27-29th December. The basketball program is designed by Dutch national team coaches Gertjan van der Linden and Irene Sloof.
A selected group of young wheelchair basketball players will spend three days with coaches and professional players in a learning environment that puts an intense focus on improving player skills, conditioning, and knowledge of the game. This includes a daily workout regimen geared for wheelchair basketball players in all classifications, lectures by leading coaches, and several different teaching stations ran.
40 spots available! To subscribe or in case of questions, send an email to: paultoes@basketballexperience.nl Subscribe before November 10 to ensure participation!
source: BEN Foundation
Wheelchair Basketball Camp Bergen 2024 (NOR)
For the second time, the Norwegian Basketball Federation hosted an international wheelchair basketball camp in Bergen, Norway over the weekend of October 4th-6th.
What started out as a tournament for the Norwegian teams in 2010, evolved into a camp in 2014, and then in 2023 into an international camp with Finnish and Swedish players and coaches. The wheelchair basketball camp mission is to be the main arena for the development of wheelchair basketball in the Nordics.
Over three days, 43 players from Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden, practiced together, played together and made new friends sharing the common love for basketball. The practices were led by this year’s head coach Irene Sloof (IWBF Europe), gave everyone a chance to develop their individual skill level. National team coaches from Finland, Norway and Sweden assisted in the practices.
In parallel, a referee clinic was held, led by Edwin Wallaart and Žarko Tomsic (IWBF Europe). The referees had classroom lessons, practiced refereeing in the in-camp tournament, and tried on wheelchairs to get a feel for the differences from stand-up-basketball.
A show game was held to promote wheelchair basketball in the local community. Norway’s national team challenged the visiting players from Sweden, Finland and Denmark in a match that ended with victory for the Norwegians.
“The wheelchair basketball camp has a strong social profile, where everyone is welcome and important. The smiles on everyone’s faces from start to finish and the overall goodwill is a testimony of the importance of the camp and the feeling of community that comes with it.
I think the camp has found its format and will be back next year – a little bit better each year.” Says Henriette Goksøyr, Norwegian Basketball Federation
source: Norges Basketball Forbund
photos: Astrid Hagland Gjerde
Summer Camp 2024 (FRA)
This summer took place the 3rd Summer Camp of « Basket fauteuil au Féminin » Players came from different regions or beyond our borders to spend several days focused on developing their sports skills.
The participants followed a structured program combining technical improvement and tactical work. Under the supervision of experienced coaches, each day began with warm-ups followed by specific exercises to improve wheelchair handling, speed, and shooting accuracy.
Individual and group workshops allowed the players to refine their team game, with sessions dedicated to passing, defense, and offensive attack techniques. At the end of the week, friendly matches allowed them to put into practice what they had learned and strengthen team cohesion. Beyond training, this camp is experienced as an enriching experience for personal development, team spirit, and passion for wheelchair basketball.
This camp, like the women's wheelchair basketball tournament of our association BKFF has the pride of promoting inclusion and equality in sport, with the importance of the visibility of women in wheelchair basketball.
source & photos: Basket Fauteuil au Féminin
International Wheelchair Basketball Camp Scotland (GBR)
basketballscotland recently held Scotland’s second International Wheelchair Basketball Camp.
Spanning five action-packed days, the camp focused on elevating athletes’ skills and techniques to a high-performance level. The primary aim was to provide athletes with a taste of training as elite athletes. Intensive training sessions, expert coaching, and competitive games enabled participants to learn, develop, and demonstrate their full potential.
Returning as Head Coach after leading the 2023 camp was Janet Zeltinger, who is regarded as one of the world’s top wheelchair basketball players and is the current Head Coach at RSV Lahn-Dill Rollstuhlbasketball. Zeltinger’s expertise, experience, and enthusiasm for the camp itself added a special touch for both players and staff.
Athletes worked on a variety of technical skills on the court, including dribbling, shooting, and passing drills designed to enhance their overall game performance. As well as participating in full-court 5v5 games, the camp introduced 3×3 basketball sessions, providing athletes with the opportunity to engage in this fast-paced, strategic version of the game, which emphasises speed, agility, and teamwork.
It wasn’t just on court skills that were a focus of camp. Off the court, they received tactical skills video analysis from Scotland head coach and Great Britain Assistant Coach, Mark Stevenson. Scotland internationalist Ben Leitch conducted strength and conditioning sessions, providing each athlete with a personalised S&C programme to take home. Additionally, all athletes began their training towards the Level One Table Official Qualification under the guidance of Johnnie Walker, enhancing their understanding of the game’s technical aspects and offering valuable opportunities to expand their knowledge and engage with the sport from a new perspective. One participant even went on to officiate at the Celtic Cup. Furthermore, Dave Rhoney from Help 4 Heroes engaged athletes in strategic thinking and teamwork through enjoyable problem-solving activities.
The camp was held at sportscotland’s National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde in Largs, a facility boasting state-of-the-art amenities for multiple sports. With world-class indoor courts, fully equipped strength and conditioning facilities, and excellent accessible accommodation, the centre provided everything necessary for the athletes to excel. The top-notch cafeteria offered tailored meal options, ensuring athletes were well-fuelled for their high-intensity training sessions. Meeting rooms and a gym complemented the indoor court, supporting both on-court and off-court activities comprehensively.
Basketballscotland is delighted to announce the dates for the 2025 International Wheelchair Basketball Camp: 21st – 25th July 2025.
source & photos: basketballscotland
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