Dates for Second Players’ Commission Elections Announced

The dates for the second elections for the IWBF Players’ Commission will take place online between 26 January – 8 February 2026.

The Players’ Commission was officially established following the inaugural elections in 2022, which saw four members elected to join four appointed representatives from the Athlete Steering Committee. Read more about the inaugural Commission here.

The Commission was ratified at the 2023 IWBF World Congress. More details here.

The Commission is currently made up of eight players. Four positions will be up for election in February:

• 1 female representative from Asia Oceania (currently Ella Sabljak, AUS)
• 1 male representative from Europe (currently Terry Bywater, GBR)
• 1 female representative from the Americas (currently Erica Gavel, CAN)
• 1 male representative from Africa (currently Alhassan Sedky, EGY)

The remaining members who will continue their term are:

• Michelle Mogadeni (South Africa)
• Mariska Beijer (Netherlands)
• John Boie (USA)
• Hiroaki Kozai (Japan)

The Players’ Commission Election Policy ensures equal gender representation and a fair distribution of Zonal representatives, one female and one male player from each Zone, with members from different countries.

IWBF President, Ulf Mehrens, said:

"The Players’ Commission is an essential body within IWBF, ensuring that the voices of players are heard in shaping the future of wheelchair basketball. I encourage all eligible players to consider standing for election or registering to vote."

The IWBF Players’ Commission is looking for players who are ready to dedicate their time and energy to help shape the governance of the sport and to ensure players have a strong and active voice in IWBF decision-making.

Eligibility to Stand as a Candidate

Players wishing to stand as candidates must be nominated via their National Federation by 15 December 2025. Candidates must:

• Appear in the IWBF International Classification Database
• Have competed in an official IWBF competition within the eight years prior to the election date
• Be at least 18 years old on the start day of the election
• Must not hold the same nationality as any of the remaining four members of the Players’ Commission, who represent the following countries and Zones:
  
  • United States of America (Americas Zone)
  • Japan (Asia Oceania Zone)
  • South Africa (Africa Zone)
  • Netherlands (Europe Zone)

Chairperson of the Players’ Commission, Erica Gavel, said:

"It is vital that players across all Zones take part in the elections, as this Commission represents their voice in the governance of our sport. The more players who register and vote, the stronger our collective voice will be."

Eligibility to Vote

To vote in the elections, players must register. Registration is now open for any international player who has competed in an official IWBF competition within the past four years and appears on the IWBF International Classification database.

Register to vote via the Online Platform - Player Voting Registration by 19 January 2026.

For further details on eligibility criteria and procedures for both candidates and voters, please download the IWBF Players’ Commission Policy.