adidas Reveals Industry-First Adaptive Wheelchair Basketball Uniforms

• The adaptive basketball uniforms, tailored specifically for wheelchair and seated athletes, were created by adidas in collaboration with Adaptive Sports Northwest (ASNW), a Portland-based non-profit for adaptive athletics
• The uniforms feature innovative ergonomic designs and will be worn for the first time at the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Tournament which will be held at the Plassman Athletic Center at Turnstone, Indiana, on April 26-28, 2024
• The uniforms are designed with a clear objective in mind - to empower athletes with speed, confidence, and ultimate comfort.

Today adidas have unveiled an industry-first innovation in the sport of wheelchair basketball. Born from extensive feedback and research with wheelchair athletes, the uniforms were developed by the adidas Innovation team in Portland in close collaboration with Adaptive Sports Northwest, a non-profit organization for adaptive athletics. The uniforms will be worn by the PNW Reign women’s wheelchair basketball team for the first time as they set out on a quest to win the NWBA Tournament on April 26-28, 2024.

Earlier in April, during the reveal of the adidas kits for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the sports brand announced that 86% of pieces of apparel worn on and off the field of play have been created using design principles that ensure they work for athletes with and without a disability alongside the development of adaptive training apparel. The combination of rethinking existing design for the broadest impact with focusing on a specific sport and group of athletes to innovate for is the basis of the adidas approach to creating the best for the athlete.

The new wheelchair basketball jersey and shorts feature innovative ergonomic advancements in pattern engineering, specifically tailored for seated positions to reduce bulk and increase comfort. Materials were selected based on detailed athlete feedback sessions and data analysis to unlock performance for seated athletes . The uniform features lightweight woven front panels for durability and full mesh back panels for breathability. Focus on the fit was paramount to deliver a uniform that felt light and comfortable.

“From the very first conversations and open discussions that we had with almost 200 athletes with disabilities, it was clear that the main challenge had been the same for years: wheelchair basketball players wear ’stand-up’ uniforms that are not designed for them and do not meet their needs. They were ill-fitting, long, and had too much volume, resulting in excess fabric, heat buildup, and discomfort. Simply put, they were not designed to help athletes perform at their best. With the creation of these uniforms, we delivered a solution that will help wearers feel more comfortable and confident on court. This uniform innovation is a true representation of our ambition: to create ’only the best for the athlete”, said Beatrice Fuller, Director of Concepts Apparel Innovation.

Players of both genders have actively participated in rounds of feedback and ergometer testing sessions to measure maximum speed over pushes, providing the adidas team with invaluable insights into the mechanics of speed that will inform future research and development. In addition, the feedback was used to measure fit, performance, durability, and overall comfort to make the uniforms match the needed requirements. Finally, through the validation process, the PNW Reign basketball team confirmed that adapted patterns have been proven to reduce fabric bulk, decrease heat build-up and enhance confidence.

 “The biggest difference with the partnership with the adidas innovation team is the direct contact with our athletes. For the first time athletes have been part of the entire process - they got to see the people behind the work, their passion through every interaction, their commitment to finding the best product for wheelchair basketball players. The PNW Reign ladies have been invested in the partnership just like the adidas innovation team has been invested in them. I truly believe this is a game changer”, said Jennifer Armbruster, the Executive Director of ASNW, a seven-time Paralympian in the sport of goalball and four-time Paralympic medalist with over twenty-five years of experience in adaptive sports world. 

“The jersey design is more than just a piece of clothing. It is a symbol of empowerment and inclusion; a product that suits our needs and preferences, making it easier and more comfortable for us to play. It is a statement that we belong, and we matter; that our team is respected, and we are recognized as athletes. It is showing that sportswear can be designed for all people”, added Jenn Waggoner, PNW Reign athlete and Board of Directors President of Seattle Adaptive Sports, ASNW sister organization.

“In a world where almost one in seven people is estimated to live with a disability, and wheelchair basketball has more than 100,000 players worldwide. adidas is excited to bring apparel innovation to the sport and the athletes dedicated to it.”, said Beatrice Fuller. 

The uniforms have been created initially to support the PNW Reign Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team as they set out on a quest to win the NWBA Championship Series. adidas plans to increase availability of the apparel during 2024 with further details around release dates and retail destinations to be determined.

About adidas

adidas is a global leader in the sporting goods industry. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany, the company employs more than 59,000 people across the globe and generated sales of € 21.4 billion in 2023.

For more information, please visit www.adidas-Group.com.

About Adaptive Sports Northwest

ASNW is a non-profit Portland based organization for adaptive athletics whose sport program include cycling, goalball, wheelchair basketball, rugby, swimming, sit volleyball, track and field. ASNW and sister organization Seattle Adaptive Sports, have formed the PNW Reign, made up of players from Pacific Northwest (PNW) region.

Related link: Home | Adaptive Sports NW.

About NWBA Championship Series

The 2024 NWBA Championship Series is the largest series of adapted sporting events in the United States (1,800 athletes and 5,600 spectators), featuring 10 competitions, nine national championships and one tournament champion. The Championship is scheduled to be held April 26 - 28, 2024 at the Plassman Athletic Center at Turnstone, the first time that the Nationals are held in Indiana.

The 2024 Women’s Division National Championship is set to be the largest women’s wheelchair basketball event in the organization’s history, with over 300 athletes and a total of nearly 800 attendees from all over the United States. 2024 also signals the second year that the NWBA will crown.