Sheffield Steelers

The Sheffield Steelers have five different teams to accommodate players of all abilities.

Patients of the Spinal Injuries Unit (SIU)

Funded by the Spinal Injuries Association, this team gets patients playing sport, often in conjunction with Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy treatment. The session serves as an introduction to sport in a structured environment and patients benefit from the endorphin release of physical exercise and increased confidence. The Steelers provide the sports wheelchairs, equipment that many patients haven’t tried before.

• The team: varies depending on the patients being treated in the unit at any one time.
• Time: 15:30 – 16:30
• Coach: John Robinson has been involved with the Club for 20 years. He first got into wheelchair basketball during his time as a patient at the SIU following a road traffic accident in 1984. A keen sportsman and retired javelin player, Coach Robinson concentrates on coaching and playing for the 3rd division team. He is also a member of the SIA liaison staff.

3rd Division:

This new team for 2009/2010 includes novices and intermediate players. Many of the players were introduced to the Steelers through their school road shows so there are a number of children on this team, as well as people from all backgrounds and with varying disabilities.

• The team: around 15 players, aged between 13 and 60
• Time: Tuesdays 16:30 – 18:00
• Coach: John Robinson

2nd Division:

This team is an ambitious bunch with their eye on league promotion. With players on the GB teams and several promising youngsters, these players have a shot at becoming the 2nd division champs.

• The team: six named players, aged between 14 and 30, most of whom have worked their way up the league. 3rd division players will often join the 2nd division for games, so team members can vary.
• Time: Tuesdays 17:30 – 19:30 & Saturdays 10:00 – 12:00
• Coach: Maurice Hammerton is an ex-GB international player. His current part-time post as development officer with the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation takes him all over the world.

1st Division:

This elite team includes ex-Paralympic medal winners, ex-international players and budding young hopefuls in its ranks. Their aim is to progress higher up the league and to be 1st division champions.

• The team: seven named players, plus those playing up from the 2nd division
• Time: Tuesdays 19:00 – 20:30 & Thursdays 17:30 – 19:00
• Coach: Tina Gordon works for the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association (GBWBA). An ex-able bodied basketball player, Tina has coached the Super League team and set up a coaching qualification for wheelchair basketball teams as part of her job with the GBWBA.

Super League

This team includes ex-Paralympians and a Beijing bronze medal winner.

• The team: seven named players, plus those playing up from the 1st division.
• Time: Thursdays 18:30 – 21:00
• Coach: Paul Hudson started coaching wheelchair basketball in 1990, having been involved with the Sheffield Council sports coaching programmes. He has coached the Steelers Super League for the last 10 years and is also a manager at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield and an assistant coach for the men’s GB team.