Charity Basketball Event Hoops Aid to Debut at the Copper Box

By Sam Neter on August 22, 2013

Hoops Aid, a first of its kind charity basketball event, will hold it’s inaugural event at the Copper Box on Sunday 15th September 2013.

The event, founded by Lance Haggith, aims to demonstrate how fun, accessible and inclusive sport can be, whilst raising money for national sports charity, Sports Traider, which offers young people the kit and support they need to get into sport.

Sports celebrities, celebrities, and professional basketball players past and present from the National Basketball Association (NBA), the British Basketball League (BBL), Team GB, the GB Paralympics team and the Battle Back soldiers are all coming together to play in an exhibition game on the day, which will also feature a wheelchair basketball game.

“Hoops Aid will be a wonderful celebration of sport,” Hoops Aid organiser, and founder of Sports Traider, Haggith said. “My aim of the day is to ensure everyone goes home smiling, having had a great day and enjoyed themselves immensely and being inspired by what they have seen.

“I launched the idea because I wanted to keep going the momentum generated by the Olympics and Paralympics where a nation was united as we celebrated our sporting heroes. Many opinions were changed about sport and disabilities at the Paralympics in particular where traditional barriers came tumbling down as we watched sport not disability.

“Hoops Aid, as well as being great entertainment, will demonstrate how accessible sport is whether you are able-bodied or disabled.”

At least one GB star, in Drew Sullivan, will be taking part in the event, that is proposed to take place every 2 years on the alternate year to Soccer Aid, its football equivalent.

Hoops Aid doors will open at midday and there will be live action right from the start. In addition to the all stars basketball game, the day’s programme will include a live performance from rapper EckSell, a dunk competition, basketball freestyling and more.

Supporting the event are the National Basketball Association (NBA), the British Basketball League (BBL) and England Basketball (EB), The Battle Back Soldiers, Canterbury, Spalding, and Adidas.

Tickets are available now from Ticketmaster, here.

Will you be attending? Make sure you come out and support!

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