Beautiful BASKIN

Beautiful BASKIN!

Do a Google search for Baskin and you are most likely to find a film review. i.e Baskin, a Turkish Horror movie about policemen facing a night of horror in a subterranean labyrinth after answering a distress call. Or, perhaps the latest update on Baskin-Robbins, the world's largest ice cream chain. Drill down a little deeper however and add the search term "Sport" and you will find what you are looking for. 

Baskin is, in fact, a fully inclusive sport based on traditional basketball. It was created in Cremona, in Italy back in 2003 and currently represents one of the most innovative sports on offer as far as global accessibility and inclusion is concerned. It offers the possibility for mixed teams, men and women, disabled and non-disabled to play together at the same time, on the same court, in the same team.

Some Adaptive games, by necessity, are a compromise. Baskin allows non-disabled performers, as well as disabled to fully express themselves physically. The sport has evolved to fit the person rather than the person having to adapt to the sport.

I have been involved in Disibility specific and Inclusive and adapted sports for over 25 years and I can honestly say, I've not come across anything quite like Baskin. It is based on the sport of basketball and played on a full size basketball court. However, it has some adaptions and a few new rules. The most obvious to the casual observer is the addition of lower baskets on either side of the half way line. These baskets live in so called "Safe Zones". Players are graded from 1 to 5 with 5s being the equivalent of mainstream basketball player down to a number 1 who may have severe mobility problems or may be in a motorised chair. Team mates ranked higher than 3 cannot enter these areas but can pass the ball their number 1 or 2 team mates to shoot a basket.

It is hughely impressive to see men and women, disabled and non-disabled players all playing in the same team on the same court fully engaged and contributing in the game.

I am so impressed with this new sport that I have thrown my hat into the ring and am helping to organise some taster sessions and demonstration games. With its high Student population and proud history of encouraging Diversity we felt that Cambridge would be a perfect place to introduce Baskin to the UK and we have events planned in Cambridge during the year. 

However, we are very keen to showcase the sport more widely. If you or any organization or group that you know might be interested in hearing more about Baskin, or even hosting an event please get in touch. You can also follow us at Cambridge Baskin

It is also very popular in schools. I have used it to bring children from mainstream schools into an SEN environment to play BASKIN and the dynamic is amazing.

Feel free to contact me at: steve@ifnotme-inclusion.com.