Local disability sports club, Rebel Wheelers, has launched a recruitment campaign for new members aged 5+ years and is calling on parents of young people with physical disabilities to get into wheelchair and para sports this winter.
Rebel Wheelers and IWA-Sport hope to recruit new members to kick off the new season. They are a multi-sports club, for young people with physical disabilities from across Cork, offering a range of sports including wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, para athletics and boccia.
LEARNING WITH SUPPORT
“Children with physical disabilities are just like their peers, they need an outlet for their energy, they need the opportunity to play, move, learn and compete,” according to Emma Murphy, whose son Thomas (11) plays Wheelchair Rugby with Rebel Wheelers. “Having accessible sports gives them all this and more,” explains Emma.
“Rebel Wheelers has made a phenomenal difference to our family,” according to Emma. “When a child receives a diagnosis of a physical disability you are dropped into the deep end of learning how to support them. It’s not an easy path and you sometimes feel like you’re the only family navigating it. We have made lifelong friends and learned so much from other parents and athletes.”
MEETING WEEKLY
The club meets weekly with a variety of teams and locations.
Monday – Jnr and Snr wheelchair rugby from 7-9pm at Scoil Bernadette, Montonotte, Cork. Tuesday – wheelchair basketball from 7-8pm and 8-10pm at Ballyphehane Community Centre, Cork. Thursdays – Snr wheelchair basketball from 8-10pm at MTU Arena, Cork. Saturdays – Saturday Morning Club from 10.30-12.30 at Scoil Bernadette, Montonotte, Cork
AIDING CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT
“We know that sports help children’s self-esteem, emotional functioning, strength, mobility and physical health,” says Paul Ryan, IWA-Sport’s National Operations Manager. “Sport is also important to help prevent health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure. We know sport and games are an important part of every child’s development and children with disabilities are no different.”
“IWA-Sports clubs work across Ireland linking in with local HSE services and sports partnerships to support children with disabilities and their families to get involved locally with sport. We know the benefits for young children are tremendous, and they have loads of fun too. We hope to encourage more parents of children with disabilities in Cork to get in touch and get involved,” Mr Ryan said.
To learn more about Rebel Wheelers, contact local volunteer Frances 087 9311147 or sign up to www.iwa.ie/sport/join
