AJ Jackson

Wheelchair Basketball Player

• About AJ
  AJ, who was born in North Wales and now lives in Chester, took up wheelchair basketball in 1997 after retiring from hockey due to knee problems which stopped them playing running sports. After playing for just over six months AJ was invited to attend trials for the GB women’s wheelchair basketball team and was selected to join the squad and played 85 times for Great Britain between 1998 and 2008.
• Did you know?
  AJ has also shared their story as part of the huge "This Girl Can" campaign and won the UK Coaching Disability Coach of the year award in 2017.
• A great inspiration
  After having multiple knee and back operations AJ pulled themselves back and their determination not to give up has taken them all the way round the world playing Wheelchair Basketball. They are now at university training to be a counsellor and work as a mental health crisis worker as well as being a wheelchair basketball coach and Tutor. AJ is also Autistic and has ADHD and sport really helps them manage both conditions and they hope to inspire others to go on to achieve things in life they did not know were possible.
• What next?
  Show this video to the children at least 2 weeks before your visit to introduce the event to the children.