The Suncoast Spinners Wheelchair Sports Club is throwing open the doors to its social wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby sessions and inviting everyone to come find out more about the sports, and try them for themselves.
Suncoast Spinners president Bridie Kean said the club offered social wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby sessions every week, for people of all ages, with and without a disability.
“When people think of wheelchair sport, they sometimes assume that its only for people who use a wheelchair in their everyday life, but it can be fun for everyone,” Bridie said.
“Even at an elite level, there are people with a disability and people without any disability playing these sports because of the unique challenges and competition opportunities they provide.”
Bridie, who is also a former captain of the Australian Wheelchair Basketball Team, said the Club was dedicated to providing an opportunity for everyone and operates a Reverse Inclusion Program which takes wheelchair sports to the wider community.
“We have already launched our weekly sessions at the USC Sports Stadium with basketball on a Wednesday night and rugby on a Saturday morning. We provide the wheelchairs so people just have to come in comfortable clothing, and we will take care of the rest,” Bridie said.
Bridie said the club offered two free sessions to anyone wanting to come along to see if wheelchair sport was something for them.
“We have also launched a great new video commercial to raise awareness about what we do which will be playing on Seven Sunshine Coast, Seven Plus Catch-Up TV and also on social media.
“The video asks who is a Suncoast Spinner, and highlights all the great aspects of getting involved in our club like becoming a member of a team, challenging themselves and having fun and meeting new people. It also emphasised that as a club we are open to everyone.”
Bridie said it was this ethos that would also carry through to a new 15-week Come and Try Wheelchair Basketball Program at Morayfield Sports Centre, supported by the Moreton Bay Council, as part of their Healthy and Active Moreton Program.
Starting on Friday 12th February, the free weekly sessions would provide the community to come and try wheelchair basketball, with the wheelchairs, coaching and support provided for free, thanks to the Moreton Bay Council.
Bridie said while 2020 was challenging for the club, both members and management, like many other sports they were looking forward to more opportunities in 2021 and hoping to see more and more people trying wheelchair sports for themselves.
For more information visit the Suncoast Spinners website – suncoastspinners.com.au – or visit them on Facebook @thespinners.