Wheelchair basketballers push for more recognition

Jack Davey leads the Exeter Otters, who were founded in 1980

The head coach of a Devon-based wheelchair basketball club says his "big goal" is to see his side become as well-known as other professional rugby and football sides in its city home.

Jack Davey leads the Exeter Otters, who were founded in 1980 and are believed to be the UK's oldest such team.

In previous years, the club had struggled to put out a side out, but the club is now running three teams - including the south-west of England's first under-14 junior team.

He said: "You've got big clubs within Exeter: the Exeter Chiefs and you've got Exeter [City] football and I really want it to be along that line essentially."

'Huge for me'

The 30-year-old said he prided himself on "building people not just players" and that membership had increased from just two in 2021 to about 70 currently.

He said: "There's a huge age range [from five to 74], but it really creates that family environment where people who wouldn't necessarily socialise together have the opportunity to do that through the power of sport.

"There was a need. I really wanted to ensure that the juniors had somewhere to go because, at the end of the day, they're going to be the future that keeps the club going."

One of the junior team, Alfie, explained how special it was for him to be able to play with other children, including his younger brother who is not a wheelchair user.

He said: "It's huge for me to have other kids my age because, when I joined this club, there weren't any; just loads of adults."

"It's really cool to be able to do a sport together, which, I guess for some kids in wheelchairs, they just don't get."