Wheelchair basketball booming in Exeter thanks to inspirational coach and player

Dozens of wheelchair basketball players are beating a path to an Exeter sports centre to take up a sport which is booming in Devon’s capital city.

And that’s partly thanks to the inspiration of ex-professional player and coach Jack Davey, who’s made Wonford Sports Centre in Exeter his second home.

The enthusiastic 29-year-old has 50 members attending training sessions for Exeter Otters, the UK’s oldest wheelchair basketball club (founded in 1980).

Some may find Jack’s choice of Wonford as a training centre, a strange choice, but according to the coach and chairperson of Exeter’s Otters, it’s the perfect location.

“The staff are friendly and helpful and there’s plenty of parking. The centre is ideal. It’s close to the motorway and everywhere is flat and accessible for wheelchairs,” he said.

Jack joined the Otters 14 years ago and hasn’t looked back. In 2016 he moved abroad to play professional wheelchair basketball for Trier Dolphins in the German Bundesliga before returning in 2019 to play for Exeter Otters in the Premier League. Sadly the global pandemic put an end to that particular season. He was then headhunted by RGK Wheelchairs, who specialise in making made-to-measure wheelchairs for sports and everyday use.

He has captained South West England, is on the GB pathway as a player and has picked up gold medals as a coach at regional and national level.

Jack was born with a rare form of spina bifida. “Basically, my spine can’t support my body and I have no muscle in my left leg.”

When Jack was born his parents were told that his chances of standing were slim and that he wouldn’t be able to walk or be fully independent. Today Jack owns his own house, has a job, a fiancée and runs a wheelchair basketball club.

It’s that determination and indomitable spirit that he uses to inspire others to take up the game. He sees wheelchair basketball in Wonford not just a way of keeping fit but a way of getting involved with others, forging friendships and a sense of belonging.

Although the club has a first team that play their matches in the second tier of the National League (they’re currently top of the division and undefeated this season), Otters also have a flourishing development team and are looking to start a junior team next season.

The club train on Saturdays at Wonford and have wheelchair basketball players ranging from 7 years old to 50 years old, travelling from all over the county, from Cornwall and Somerset and as far as Andover to get involved. They play their home matches at nearby Cranbrook Education Campus.

The Club is booming and Jack and his team members often gets asked along to events and talks in schools. The Otters also have links to Help for Heroes and have had veterans attending sessions.

Last year, Jack’s efforts were recognised when he was named UK Coaching’s Community Coach of the Year, something he is rightly very proud of.