Richmond to Host 2024 NWBA Adult Division Wheelchair Basketball Nationals April 12-14 at Henrico Sports & Events Center
RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, April 10, 2024) – Sportable, Central Virginia’s premier adaptive sports club, is proud to host the 2024 National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Adult Division Wheelchair Basketball National Championships April 12-14 at the state-of-the-art Henrico Sports & Events Center in Henrico, Virginia. Tickets are on sale now at Sportable.org.
“Thousands of wheelchair basketball players, families, and fans filled the Henrico Sports & Events Center last week for the Junior Division Championships and we are thrilled to return this weekend to replicate the electric atmosphere for the Adult Division tournament,” commented Hunter Leemon, Sportable Chief Executive Officer. “With teams traveling across the country, including eight Paralympians and our hometown Sportable Rim Riders, this event promises to be an unparalleled experience. We strongly encourage the RVA community to come out to Henrico Sports & Events Center to see what wheelchair basketball is all about.”
Games will take place from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, and 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 14. Competing for a Division II title, Richmond’s local Sportable Rim Riders will take to the courts on Friday, April 12 at 12:00 p.m. when they face the #3 ranked Chicago Hornets.
This weekend’s event follows a successful Junior Division tournament held at the Henrico Sports & Events Center April 5-7. The Lakeshore Lakers (Birmingham, AL, Junior Varsity), ATX Abilities (Austin, TX, Junior Prep), and DASA Rams (St Peters, MO, Varsity Invitational) claimed National Championship trophies. In total, 100 teams and over 1,100 wheelchair basketball players will compete for six national titles over the two weekends.
“This a great opportunity for our region to showcase our outstanding facilities and attractions, and showcase our pride and commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive destination where everyone can play,” added Jerrine Lee, Vice President of Sales for Richmond Region Tourism. “We are honored to partner with Sportable and the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority to provide a world-class experience for the athletes, coaches and fans.”
The host venue, Henrico Sports & Events Center, opened in November 2023 and features more than 185,000-square feet of adaptable event space. The NWBA Wheelchair Basketball National Tournaments will utilize all 12 basketball courts for games, vendors, and meeting spaces, culminating in the Championship games held in the 3,500-seat arena.
“We’re very excited to welcome the NWBA and its athletes to our new indoor sports and events center,” said Dennis Bickmeier, Executive Director of the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority. “This tournament will be a signature event in the early history of the facility. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver this showcase event to our community and witnessing the athleticism and teamwork that will happen over the two weeks of competition.”
Founded in 1981, the Rim Riders wheelchair basketball team has been a mainstay in Richmond for more than 40 years. Introduced in 2006, youth wheelchair basketball was the second sports program ever offered by Sportable when youth players trained alongside the Richmond Rim Riders at Humphrey Calder Community Center. The Rim Riders officially merged with Sportable in 2017.