By James Crook

The first Hoops Aid celebrity charity basketball match will take place at the Copper Box Arena this Sunday September 13 - The Copper Box Arena in London will open its doors for the first Hoops Aid celebrity charity basketball game this Sunday (September 15), bringing sports stars and celebrities together to face-off on the court to support disadvantaged and disabled children in the United Kingdom.

The line-up features basketball players such as British Basketball League (BBL) Most Valuable Player Drew Sullivan, British Olympian Julie Page and American National Basketball Association (NBA) star Marcus Camby, as well as other notable sports personalities, including football manager Mick McCarthy, former world champion sprinter John Regis and Olympic triple jump silver medallist Phillips Idowu.

The day at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park venue will also feature a wheelchair basketball exhibition match starring a host of British Paralympians and former servicemen supported by the Battle Back programme, which is led by the Ministry of Defence, as well as live entertainment, a slam dunk contest and a community basketball game.

Hoops Aid founder Lance Haggith spoke of the inspiration behind hosting the event.

"Hoops Aid will be a wonderful celebration of sport," he said.

"My aim for the day is to ensure everyone goes home smiling, having had a great day and having enjoyed themselves immensely and been inspired by what they have seen.

"I launched the idea because I wanted to keep the momentum going generated by the Olympics where a nation was united.

"Many opinions were changed about sport and disabilities and barriers broken down at the Paralympics where we watched sport not disability.

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

Olympic triple jump silver medallist Phillips Idowu is one of the stars set to take part at Hoops AidOlympic triple jump silver medallist Phillips Idowu is one of the stars set to
take part at Hoops Aid


It is anticipated that Hoops Aid will go on to become a biennial fixture to take place in the alternative year to Soccer Aid and Sport Aid.

"We are absolutely thrilled that the Copper Box Arena is hosting this tremendously worthwhile Hoops Aid event which promises some superb entertainment," London Legacy Development Corporation chief executive Dennis Hone said.

"Sport can transform people's lives and it's tremendously important that opportunities to take part in activities are available to everyone.

"Part of the legacy we are delivering through programmes and initiatives like Motivate East are helping to ensure that is the case."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2013: Number of wounded veterans and Service personnel taking up sport surges following London 2012
September 2013: London 2012 Olympians to star on British squad for 2013 EuroBasket
August 2013: England Basketball and BBL join forces to capitalise on UK basketball popularity surge