Cork to welcome top wheelchair basketball clubs
One of Cork’s most cherished clubs is to host a prestigious European qualifiers event in April, it was announced this week.
Cork is a basketball city and Rebel Wheelers Multi-Sports Club is to host the IWBF EuroCup Group 4 Qualifiers, running from 23–26 April right here. The event will feature five elite European wheelchair basketball clubs competing for advancement in one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
This milestone highlights both the growth of wheelchair basketball in Ireland and Rebel Wheelers’ long-standing commitment to empowering athletes with physical disabilities.
The participating teams in the EuroCup Group 4 are: Rebel Wheelers (Ireland), Megas Alexandros 1994 (Greece), Reading Rockets (United Kingdom), Sunrise Medical Shooters (Netherland) and GDD-Alcoitão (Portugal).
All matches will be played at Upper Glanmire Community Sports Hall.
Commenting on the announcement, Jerry O’Regan, Tournament Coordinator, said: “This event represents not just a major sporting occasion for Cork, but also a celebration of inclusion, empowerment, and athletic excellence. Rebel Wheelers has always focused on giving young people the opportunity to thrive through sport, and we are honoured to welcome Europe’s finest wheelchair basketball clubs to our home city.”
Rebel Wheelers is a Cork-based IWA (Irish Wheelchair Association) sport multi-sport club dedicated to empowering people with physical disabilities through sport. Founded in 2008 by five families, the club has grown from a handful of members to over 70 athletes, ranging from children to adults.
The club’s mission is to empower young people with physical disabilities by introducing them to sports in a fun, safe, inclusive environment, promoting independence, healthy living, well-being, and self-esteem.
Rebel Wheelers runs programmes across five core sports:
- Wheelchair basketball
- Wheelchair rugby
- Para athletics
- Boccia
- Saturday morning multisport club
The club has an outstanding record of developing national-level athletes, with multiple members representing Ireland across senior, U23, and U19 wheelchair basketball and European wheelchair rugby championships. They are also the only club in Ireland with two adult wheelchair basketball teams, with the senior team holding league and cup titles for the past three years.
The event welcomes volunteers, sponsors, and media partners to help showcase an elite international sporting experience. Rebel Wheelers is a volunteer-run organisation, with all funds going directly toward programmes, coaching, equipment, and accessibility support.
Tournament schedule
Friday 24 April
·10am – Rebel Wheelers vs Megas Alexandros 1994
·12.15pm – Sunrise Medical Shooters vs Reading Rockets
·2.30pm – Megas Alexandros 1994 vs GDD-Alcoitão
·4.45pm – Reading Rockets vs Rebel Wheelers
·7pm – GDD-Alcoitão vs Sunrise Medical Shooters
Saturday 25 April
·9am – Reading Rockets vs Megas Alexandros 1994
·11.15am – Sunrise Medical Shooters vs Rebel Wheelers
·1.30pm – GDD-Alcoitão vs Reading Rockets
·3.45pm – Megas Alexandros 1994 vs Sunrise Medical Shooters
·6pm – Rebel Wheelers vs GDD-Alcoitão