Sporty Sophie! Casual Countess of Wessex dons a hoodie and trainers to try her hand at wheelchair basketball in North London

We're used to seeing Sophie Wessex looking polished in elegant midi dresses and court shoes, but today the royal swapped her usual formal look for trainers to attend a wheelchair basketaball game.  

Sophie, 56, who is the royal patron of British Wheelchair Basketball, met with volunteers and players for a session in Finsbury Park, North London, and had a go at playing with them. 

For the occasion, she donned a pair of casual skinny trousers with a blue hoodie and tucked her blond hair into a ponytail

In spite of the chilly temperature and grey skies, Prince Edward's wife was all smiles as she met with the teenage players ahead of their game. 

Sophie Wessex, 56, travelled to Finsbury Park in North London to meet handicapable athletes and attend their gam this morning 

Prince Edward's wife, who is another-of-two, met with the teenage players ahead of the game. For the occasion, she wore jeans and a sweater 

She completed the sporty look with a pair of grey and blue trainers and kept her jewellery to a pair of emerald stud earrings. 

The athletes, all ready to play, were wearing their gear and smiled as they listened to Sophie's motivating pep talk. 

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When the game finally started, Sophie had a go at dribbling from a wheelchair and encouraged her team to help them secure a victory.  

The Countess has been the royal patron of British Wheelchair Basketball since 2013, and has attended several games like this one throughout her patronage. 

While she arrived wearing her hair down, the Countess swiftly gathered her blond locks into a ponytail, pictured 

Sophie seemed excited to meet with the several players who could make it to the game today, pictured, and chatted with ahead of the sporty event

The royal showed off her sporty look as she met with a member of the Islington Council who welcomed her in Finsbury Park today

Sophie, pictured, has been the royal patron of British Wheelchair Basketball since 2013 and has attended several events like ever since

The charity represents the sport and its players across Britain, according to their statistics, 17,000 people play the sport in the UK, and this participation could grow to reach up to 70,000. 

At the professional level, the GB men's senior team won eight Paralympic medals and has been European Champions three times in a row, as well as bringing home the World Championship title in 2018.

Meanwhile the female team is the most successful team int he sport's history, and hold the 2018 World Championship silver medal and won the European bronze medal six times in a row.   

The Countess slid into her own wheelchair for the match and had a go at dribbling the ball herself, pictured,

The Countess of Wessex sat in a wheelchair to take part in the game, British Wheelchair Basketball's very first Inspire a Generation wheelchair basketball session

The countess made sure to encourage her teammates during the eventful game in Finsbury Park, pictured