Wheelchair basketball is currently hailed as the fastest-growing sport for athletes with a disability. The game was initiated in the late 1940s when basketball players returned from World War II to the US, unable to play able-bodied basketball, and adapted the rules to enable it to be played in wheelchairs.

It is now played in over 80 countries with over 100,00 players at all levels globally.

Australia has a proud history of participating in the development of wheelchair basketball both nationally and globally, produced world renowned athletes and our National Programs (Rollers and Gliders) have accumulated 2 Golds, 5 Silvers and 1 Bronze at the Paralympics collectively.

Classification is crucial to the integrity and fairness of Para-sport competition. It determines which athletes are eligible to participate and the structure for how they are categorized for events.

To participate at a national level in Australia, including State High Performance Pathways, players need to have been deemed ‘eligible’ or ‘non eligible’ and assigned their classification by Basketball Australia’s classifiers.

Classification Resources

1. Classification Information
2. Classification Eligibility Flyer
3. Classification Masterlist (updated regularly)
4. Request for Provisional Classification Form

See below for information on Wheelchair Basketball State and Territory programs.