AROUND 100 employees from companies across Worcestershire took to the basketball court for a unique team building exercise.

Twelve teams from eight businesses entered a workplace challenge wheelchair basketball competition, run by Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire in partnership with British Wheelchair Basketball. The event at Worcester's University Arena was a prelim to the European Wheelchair Basketball Championships, which take place in the city at the end of August.

Teams ranged from small local firms to large multi-national organisations and after some tough competition it was family run Johnsons Coaches of Henley in Arden, with a staff from all departments with a variety of fitness levels, who were crowned champions with Bromsgrove District Housing Trust taking the Fair Play trophy for showing great sportsmanship and endeavour throughout the night.

Chairman of Worcestershire Local Enterprise business board Mark Martin, said “The night was well organised and engaging workplaces in sport and physical activity is a great idea for team building, motivation and improving one’s health. What you noticed at the beginning of the evening was fear and trepidation mixed with excitement on many of the participants faces. The wheelchairs were a great leveller in people’s ability and performances, which made the night more fun for everyone. Well done to all involved in setting up the 'workplace challenge' and giving the opportunity for 12 companies to participate in something out of the normal routine.It was also helpful to highlight the forthcoming European Wheelchair Basketball Championships at the Arena at the end of the month. Another major sporting event that will be great for the city and its economy. I hope many local businesses will get behind and support the event by taking on some of the corporate hospitality still available for their staff and clients.”

Sports Partnership’s director Stephen Brewster added: "The evening was a resounding success and the spirit in which everyone took part was fantastic. The workplace challenge has been created to encourage businesses to promote sport, physical activity and health improvements across their workplaces, and it’s essential we provide opportunities to not only get them active but to also unite their workforces. We are delighted that the competition was so well received by our local businesses and we hope to be able to continue to drive this forward with similar events in the near future.”

British Wheelchair Basketball’s development director Jo Richards said: “It was great to see so many organisations taking part. Wheelchair basketball is a great activity that is fun for all ages and abilities and lends itself perfectly to a team building activity."

The competition set the scene for the #60DaysOfSport Workplace Challenge, a campaign to encourage all companies to sign up and inspire their employees to get active for 60 days as part of a workplace challenge, which is due to start on Wednesday, August 19. For more information about the workplace challenge and how to get involved visit the website www.morethansport.com or email SPHW@worc.ac.uk