/ WALKING BASKETBALL 60+
A NEW APPROACH TO HEALTY AGING
WALKING BASKETBALL 60+
Walking Basketball 60+ is an innovative programme that uses basketball as a tool for physical activity, rehabilitation and psychosocial empowerment for older adults.
Developed by COMM'ON in collaboration with the Greek Basketball Coaches Association and other institutional and academic partners, the programme aims to establish a new model for active and healthy ageing in Greece.
In Greece, support for older adults relies heavily on municipal structures and, in particular, on Senior Citizens' Open Care Centres (KAPI), which serve as important spaces for social interaction and community life. However, opportunities for regular, safe and organised physical activity often remain limited, fragmented or inaccessible, leaving many people aged 60+ outside organised forms of exercise.
Walking Basketball adapts basketball to the needs and abilities of older adults, creating safe and accessible opportunities for movement, participation and social connection.
More than a form of exercise, WB becomes a vehicle for activation, confidence building and community engagement, helping bridge the gap between the needs of older adults and the services currently available to them.
During the 2025/26 season, the programme was piloted in the Municipality of Keratsini - Drapetsona, engaging 30 older adults from nine municipal senior centres (KAPI).
The pilot demonstrated strong participation rates and the emergence of an active and committed community, highlighting the potential of the model to support healthier, more connected and more active ageing.
- -
Designed and implemented by COMM'ON, the pilot was developed in collaboration with the Hellenic Basketball Coaches Association (SEPK) and the Municipality of Keratsini - Drapetsona with the support of TIMA Charitable Foundation, through the Points of Support programme, a collaborative funding initiative co-financed by ten charitable organisations.
The pilot was also supported by Metropolitan College and the Greek Crisis Management Team (ODIK).
pilot hIGHTLIGHTS
2025/26 weekly TRAININGS
During the 2025/26 pilot season, participants from nine municipal senior centres of Keratsini and Drapetsona took part in a structured programme of weekly Walking Basketball sessions.
Over the course of 25 trainings, small groups met regularly under the guidance of specialised coaches, with physiotherapy support and the presence of a rescuer, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for participation.
Alongside the training programme, participants were supported through a process of physical assessment and monitoring carried out in collaboration with Metropolitan College, contributing to the documentation of the programme’s impact on mobility, physical condition and overall wellbeing.
The pilot combined regular exercise with systematic observation, helping generate valuable knowledge for the future development of the model.
%20PRACTICE%20DEC1_credits%20Panos%20Georgiou5.jpg)
Beyond the Court
Alongside the weekly training sessions, the pilot included a series of community engagement activities designed to strengthen social participation and intergenerational connection.
Participants had the opportunity to visit a professional basketball game, sharing a live sports experience with younger members of their families and reconnecting with the wider basketball community.
The programme also brought together older adults, students and young people through visits and joint activities developed in collaboration with local schools and the CSR basketball programs. These encounters created opportunities for dialogue, exchange and meaningful interaction across generations, extending the impact of the programme beyond the basketball court.
A Season to Celebrate
The pilot season concluded with a community celebration that brought together participants, families, supporters and members of the local basketball community. Τhe event marked the completion of a unique sporting journey and celebrated the commitment, progress and team spirit developed throughout the season.
Short friendly WB games between the Walking Basketball 60+ team and the Olympiacos Veterans Basketball Club highlighted the day, creating a memorable experience for players and spectators alike.
More than a closing event, the celebration recognised the achievements of the participants and demonstrated how sport can bring people together, strengthen community bonds and challenge perceptions around ageing and physical activity.
pilot results
One of the key outcomes of the pilot was the development of the Walking Basketball 60+ Good Practice Guide.
Developed by COMM'ON and the Hellenic Basketball Coaches Association (SEPK), the Guide documents the programme’s methodology, implementation framework and training protocols.
The Guide was created to support the safe, consistent and high-quality delivery of Walking Basketball programmes.
Alongside practical tools and recommendations, it forms part of a broader support framework that includes knowledge sharing, coach training and implementation support for Municipalities and other stakeholders interested in adopting the model.
Photo credits: Panos Georgiou | Video credits: Panos Kostouros (WONDER EDITS)