Reverse Integration in Wheelchair Basketball: Stakeholders' Understanding in Elite and Recreational Sporting Communities
in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly
Michele Verdonck
Michele VerdonckUniversity of the Sunshine Coast
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Jacquie Ripat
Jacquie RipatUniversity of Manitoba
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Peita-Maree Clark
Peita-Maree ClarkUniversity of the Sunshine Coast
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Florin Oprescu
Florin OprescuUniversity of the Sunshine Coast
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Marion Gray
Marion GrayUniversity of the Sunshine Coast
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Lisa Chaffey
Lisa ChaffeyUniversity of the Sunshine Coast
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Bridie Kean
Bridie KeanUniversity of the Sunshine Coast
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https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2019-0082
adaptive sport; disability; equity; inclusion; parasport
First Published Online:
Wheelchair basketball (WCBB) often includes reverse integration (RI), defined as the inclusion of athletes without impairment in a sport traditionally aimed at athletes with an impairment. This study explored how RI in WCBB was understood by internal stakeholders. Data were gathered from athletes, coaches, and administrators at an Australian club competition and at a Canadian elite training center. Analysis of semistructured interviews with 29 participants led to the identification of eight themes. Collectively, the findings showed that RI was embedded within WCBB, RI was considered to be a way to advance the growth and improve the quality of WCBB as well as a way to increase awareness of WCBB and disability. There were some concerns that RI may not be equitable, as WCBB is a "disability sport." Stakeholders' perspectives on RI could provide useful information for sport policymakers, managers, administrators, sports organizations, and athletes interested in further developing WCBB.
* Verdonck, Clark, Oprescu, Gray, Chaffey, and Kean are with the School of Health and Sport Science, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia. Ripat is with the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Kean (bkean@usc.edu.au) is corresponding author.
Supplementary Table 1 (PDF 88 KB)
https://journals.humankinetics.com/abstract/journals/apaq/38/1/article-p25.xml
Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly
Study Purpose
Semistructured Interviews
Study Rigor
RI in an Elite Canadian WCBB Community
RI Is Embedded Within the Culture of WCBB
RI Is a Way to Improve the Quality of Elite WCBB
RI Is a Part of WCBB But Is Only Fair Up to a Point
RI in a Recreational Australian WCBB Community
RI Is Useful for Club WCBB
RI Is a Normal Part of Club WCBB
RI as a Way to Advance the Growth of Club WCBB
RI Increases Awareness of WCBB and Disability
WCBB Is a Disability Sport
Benefits of RI in WCBB
RI Role in Promoting Equity
Importance of RI on Athletic Identity and Recognition of WCBB as a Sport
RI and Inclusion in Sports
Limitation and Future Research
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