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Ade Adepitan MBE and Great Britain wheelchair basketball international James MacSorley have joined the steering group for the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball European Championships 2027.

The Championships will take place at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena from 11–19 September 2027, bringing together 18 of Europe’s top men’s and women’s national teams. With qualification for the LA 2028 Paralympic Games at stake, the competition will give British fans the chance to see some of the best wheelchair basketball players in Europe competing on home soil.

Ade won bronze in wheelchair basketball at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games before going on to become a familiar face on British television. He has also become a prominent advocate for disability representation and will support the Championships’ aim of reaching new audiences and challenging perceptions of disability in sport.

Ade Adepitan MBE said: “Sport has a real power to change the way people think about disability. Wheelchair basketball is fast, physical and highly competitive, and I want more people to see that for themselves. I’m delighted to support the Championships and help raise the profile of the sport, while challenging some of the assumptions people still have about disability.”

James MacSorley, who represents Great Britain in wheelchair basketball, joins the steering group with a particular focus on the athlete experience. He is also a member of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Players’ Commission, representing Europe, giving him an international perspective on the needs and priorities of players.

James MacSorley said: “I’m pleased to be joining the steering group and to have a chance to help shape the Championships from an athlete’s point of view. The experience players have at a major competition matters, both on and off the court, and I want to help make sure that’s a priority as plans develop. It’s also a great opportunity to bring wheelchair basketball to a wider audience and show what the sport is all about.”

The steering group provides strategic oversight of the Championships, helping guide plans for the event and ensuring that the needs of athletes and spectators are well considered. The group is made up of representatives of Liverpool City Council (LCC), British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB), UK Sport (UKS) and UKEL, plus independent members and an independent chair – full details of group members are below.

Alongside nine days of top-level competition, the Championships will aim to raise the profile of wheelchair basketball, encourage more people to take part and give disabled athletes greater visibility. With Great Britain’s men’s and women’s teams competing at home, local audiences will be able to watch world-class athletes from across Europe, all at the top of their game, live in Liverpool.

It’s all to play for. Multi-day passes are on sale now – see all passes and the seating plan.

Steering Group members

Jo Simpson (Independent Chair), Justine Baynes (British Wheelchair Basketball), Jules Park-Robinson (British Wheelchair Basketball), Holly Colvin (UK Sport), Jen Fading (Liverpool City Council), Georgia Bekyra (Independent member), Sandra Masiliso (Independent member), Ade Adepitan (Independent member), Ben Williams (LEX Campus), Chris Walker (UKEL), Bev Ward (UKEL), John Mudderman (UKEL), James MacSorley (Independent member).

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