Nl Knight5 Wheelchair Basketball club is a chority thot aims to improve the physicol health and wellbeing of
people with disabilities and their families in Northern Ireland through the sport of wheelchair basketboll
NI KNIGHTS WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CLUB
ANNUAL REPORT ,
Prepared by:
Position held:
Address:
Colin Davis
Hon. Treasurer
15 Kilbright Road, Carrowdore
Newtownards, BT22 2HQ
07768781357
Mobile:
Charity No.
103381
Date:
Year Ending 31st August 2022
Governance:
Knights WBC are members of Disability Sport Northern Ireland (DSNI), Irish Wheelchair
Association Sport (IWA) and British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB). All of the aforementioned
organisations act as governing bodies for our various teams.
We have a nominated child protection officer (Mrs Mary Mccabe), a policy covering child
protection and all of our coaches and committee members have had Access Nl enhanced
checks.
The Club has obtained the Clubmark Scheme Award.
Committee for Year Ending 31st August 2022:
Chair:
Hon. Treasurer:
Hon. Secretary:
Members:
Mr Neil Carlisle
Rev Colin Davis
Mr Mark Fenton
Mrs Mary Mccabe
Mr Luke Marshall
Mr Justin Mcllroy
Mrs Sarah Beattie
Foundation & Charitable Aims:
The Knights WBC was founded in 1990 and officially became a registered charity in 2017. It was
set up to provide opportunities for disabled people to get involved in team sport. The Club
promotes a healthy lifestyle for disabled people and encourage social inclusion. The Club also
welcomes participation and inclusion of able bodied members as well. Through the sport of
wheelchair basketball we aim to improve the physical health and wellbeing of people with
disabilities and their families in Northern Ireland.
Registered Charty No. NIC103381

Nl Knlshts Wheelchair Basketball club is a charity that aims to improve the physical health and wellbeing of
people with disabilities and their families in Northern Ireland through the sport of wheelchair basketball
Report for Year Ending 31st August 2022
Whilst fundraising takes place at a variety of times throughout the club's financial year, the actual
playing season is usually September to May.
This past year we have continued where able to improve the physical health and mental wellbeing
of our members by providing sporting and social opportunities. Following Covid-19 regular
training restarted in a more normal way in Sept 2021 each week at the Hammer Youth Centre,
Belfast on Thursdays. This consists of two sessions, the first for junior and developing members
and also new members. Those who simply want to try it out are always welcome too. The second
session on Thursday evenings is for senior players and those who are playing competitively.
Following new requirements, the Club now has a Covid Officer and appropriate protocols need to
be followed to minimise risk for Club members.
Being a disability sport club and given the nature of disabilities of our members, some are
considered in the vulnerable category so it is imperative the Club takes this into account, whilst
also providing every opportunity.
With one or two key members stepping down or moving away the Knights decided not to
participate in the BWB GB League this season. This has significantly reduced the annual costs
which can be seen in our accounts.
Following the decision during the 2019/20 season to withdraw from the IWA Irish League, this
leaves the newly organised by DSNI, Nl League as the main opportunity for competitive
wheelchair basketball. That said. DSNI also run a performance training session on a separate
evening which some of our members participate in and through this competed with great success
at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, representing Northern Ireland.
This along with previous members who have competed at the Olympics with the GB squad, won
a World Championship and even gone on to play wheelchair basketball professionally are great
examples to inspire members and show what is possible. if people have the talent and the
dedication and wish to pursue such goals.
In the past the Club has had various social events, including an End of Season Awards. Members
have also been nominated for and sometimes won other sports awards (e.g. Belfast City Council
and Mary Peter's Awards)
As members develop there is also the opportunity to enhance their own organisational and life
skills by serving on our Club Committee or hoping to organise some of our activities.
Our playing membership has ranged from as young as 8 to 60 and come from all sides of the Nl
Community. Club benefits can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age, religion, ethnicity or
disability.
The Knights works closely in partnership with Disability Sport Nl as won of their flagship
organisations to promote disability sport, most recently to help promote the disability hubs being
set up in the different council areas. We are also helping them to promote other Wheelchair
Basketball Clubs within Northern Ireland with a view to having our own national league and
providing more opportunities for people to participate in the sport.
number of our members have attained or are working towards their Level 1 Coaching
Certificate and we also have some who are trained up through DSNI as Match Table Officials.
Registered Charity No. NIC103381

Nl Knights Wheelchair Basketball club is a charity that aims to improve the physFcal health and wellbeing of
people with disabilities and their families in Northern Ireland through the sport of wheelchair Ix7sketball
Our fundraising events, whilst essential to enable the Club to run the teams and participate in the
various competitions, also are very important in raising the profile of disability sport and
wheelchair basketball in particular. This is very often our 'shop window, to attract new members
but also gives members a sense of responsibility and achievement away from the basketball
court.
Over the years we have b￿n fortunate enough to also have had various sponsors, whose
generosity has helped with kit sponsorship, transport and tournament sponsorship.
During the past season the following companies and organisations have sponsored us in regard
to both playing leisure kits:
People Playbook
Financial Statement
Due to a large donation six or seven years ago, the Knights has been in a secure financial
situation and this continues to be the case. As previously mentioned, the withdrawal from the GB
League has significantly reduced our annual expenditure and for the second year running income
was higher than expenditure.
Club Income & Expenditure accounts can be seen on the Charity Commission Nl website, along
with the inspecting accountant's statement.
Signed".
Completed on behalf of the Trustees by Rev Colin Davis (Hon. Treasurer), Knights WBC
R&gistered Charlty No. NIC103381