New junior club set up in Sunbury
A junior wheelchair basketball club has been set up for young people at Sunbury Leisure Centre, Surrey.
The club has now been running from October 16th every Friday evening between 5pm and 7pm for 10 – 18 years olds and the club already has 10 regular members.
Sunbury Manor School Welfare Support Administer, Claire Christie, and the School Sport Co-ordinator set up the wheelchair basketball club after a number of students in School wanted the to play one of the largest Paralympic sports.
Inspiration for the young people who are taking part in the sessions is their coach Helen Turner, a member of the Great Britain women’s team who has recently won bronze at the European Championships 2009.
Paralympian, Helen Turner said “I really love coaching these children not only is it a great project to be involved with but it is great for me as it takes it back to my basic skills.
"With London 2012 Legacy and the Playground to Podium initiative we will hopefully see a number of clubs like this establishing themselves and increasing the number of people playing Wheelchair Basketball."
School Sports Co-ordinator for the Bishop Wand School Sports Partnership, Yvette Dixon, who has helped in setting up the new club, said "It’s great to be able to provide the young people of the area with a chance to play wheelchair basketball. We had predominantly been school specific before and this has allowed us to be totally inclusive and provide physical activity for youngsters with disabilities in our partnership.”
Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association’s Club Development Manager, Jay Popat said “Through the Playground to Podium initiative we have a commitment to widen access for young disabled people to participate in wheelchair basketball as well as having clear pathways to develop. With no current club in Surrey this was an ideal opportunity for us to pair up and help Sunbury access all resources available to them to provide a high standard of wheelchair basketball to the youngsters.”
Another important contributor to the club is GBL wheelchairs, whose Director, Ian Laker, is pictured and has been involved from the beginning of the setting up of the club.
If you would like to go along to Sunbury and play wheelchair basketball equipment and coaching will be supplied and it is Free of Charge to attend.
For More Information please contact: Yvette Dixon (ydixon@sunburymanor.surrey.sch.uk) or Claire Christie (cchrist@sunburymanor.sch.uk) or phone 01932 784285 (ext 6180)
