Sarah Friedman is heading to next week’s B.C. Winter Games in Penticton to play a sport she never would have imagined a couple of years earlier.
As an able-bodied athlete, the Grade 9 Hugh Boyd student is a member of the Zone 5 wheelchair basketball team.
Friedman was at home recovering from a foot injury that was preventing her from playing her regular sports.
She had earlier got a taste of wheelchair basketball as part of a demonstration at the Langley Events Centre when she was playing in the Steve Nash Youth Basketball League.
“She loved able-bodied basketball but the injuries were keeping her from playing,” explained her mom, Stacey Friedman. “One day she was just sitting there doing nothing when I called B.C. Wheelchair Basketball. I was surprised to learn they encourage able-bodied people to play.
“I figured it would just be for the six week period she was wearing an air cast but there was no turning back.”
Friedman made a quick impression for the club team she joined in Richmond, so much so that she was encouraged to go play at a more competitive level. Now, she trains on a regular basis with a team out of Fort Langley that one day could form the B.C. roster at the next Canada Winter Games in Red Deer three years from now. She also works out with a club team based at Douglas College in New West.
Friedman is back playing club soccer but wheelchair basketball remains a big part of her life.
“My mom didn’t want me sitting on my butt all day doing nothing and I was dealing with all these injuries,” laughed Sarah. “When we did the demo at the Steve Nash Tournament a few years back, I was the only one to make a basket but it took forever!
“It took me basically half a year before I started making shots. I was getting a lot of fouls too.”
Although able-bodied athletes are permitted to play wheelchair basketball, their participation is limited due to a point classification system — ranging from 5.0 (a male able-bodied athlete) down to 1.0 for those with less functional skills. The point total can’t exceed 14 for the five players on the floor.
“There are usually no more than two able-bodied players per team,” continued Stacey Friedman. “They are also the team mules. They usually are asked to carry all the gear and unload all the chairs.”
Sarah is planning on sticking with it perhaps long enough to play for B.C. at the Canada Games.
“What I like about it is there are no favourites compared to other sports I have played,” said Sarah.
“There’s lots of contact too and people are always getting knocked to the floor (while belted to the chair). I’m still trying to learn how to get up on my own.”
Unlike so many sports, height and weight aren’t much of a factor either.
“Once you get your bum in the chair, everyone is equal,” added Stacey. “She plays with a lot of guys and they underestimate her.”
