Q&A with Joy Haizelden: Championing Disability Sport Through Wheelchair Basketball
1 – Could You Share A Little Bit About Yourself?
My name is Joy Haizelden, and for the last six years, I have been playing Wheelchair Basketball for Great Britain. I was born with Spina Bifida in China and was adopted at the age of six after moving to the UK. Last year, I was awarded my degree in Health and Human Science at the University of Sheffield, and I am now exploring options to complete my Master’s.
2 – When & How Did You First Discover Wheelchair Basketball?
I first started playing wheelchair basketball in secondary school. I couldn’t participate in stereotypical P.E. lessons and would often feel left out, forcing me to watch from the sidelines or help out with admin tasks. As a result, my dad began searching for ways to help me stay fit and active, and a friend suggested that I participate in a wheelchair basketball session. It was at this point that I instantly fell in love with the sport and have not looked back since.
3 – How Has The Sport Improved Your Physical & Mental Well-Being?
I think it’s a fairly common occurrence for students with disabilities to feel like their school cannot provide a fully inclusive physical education. Instead, wheelchair basketball provided me with an opportunity to have more confidence in my physical abilities and set the groundwork for a passion for exercise and fitness. Basketball has also provided an opportunity to meet people like me, both in terms of our shared disability and our determination to succeed in the sport. As a result, the teams I have been a part of over the years have been integral to my well-being and overall sense of self.
4 – What Inspires Your Motivation?
I have a strong internal drive to be the best athlete I can be, while also being motivated day in and day out by the hard work and persistent effort of my teammates. I also want to repay the time and support my parents have given me over the years. They believed in me when I was just starting out in the sport, so I naturally want to make them proud.
5 – Any Common Misconceptions About Wheelchair Basketball?
There seems to be a misconception that ambulant athletes cannot participate in wheelchair sports, when in fact, many players can walk onto the basketball court. The basketball wheelchair is just a piece of sports equipment, much like a bike or canoe. People are also surprised that wheelchair basketball is played on the same court with almost the same rules as the running version of the game. For example, the basket remains at the same height, the court remains the same size, and players must still dribble the ball when moving.
6 – Do You Have Any Advice For Aspiring Athletes With Disabilities?
My advice to any aspiring athletes would be not to let anyone tell you what you cannot do. Play to your strengths and focus on what you can achieve. Find a sport or activity that you feel passionate about and pursue it to a level that you get the most enjoyment from. Take up any opportunity that’s offered, as you’ll never regret the things you don’t do, and if someone else asks you this question, make sure you inspire the next generation of para-athletes!
Useful links:
Follow Joy Haizelden on Instagram (@haizsee)
