Suncoast Spinners to get 10 new wheelchairs, funded by $10,000 Ergon-Energex grant

Suncoast Spinners Wheelchair Basketball Club is thrilled to be awaiting the arrival of ten brand-new wheelchairs to help expand its programs in the South Burnett region, thanks to a grant from the Ergon-Energex Community Fund.

Suncoast Spinners president and Paralympian, Dr Bridie Kean said the new chairs would provide a huge boost for the South Burnett Spinners, which was an outreach club formed under the Suncoast Spinners Club in 2021.

“At Suncoast Spinners we support wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby here on the Sunshine Coast as well as in other areas such as Moreton Bay and South Burnett.

“This is because we want more people, with and without a disability to have access to our great wheelchair sports.”

Dr Kean said Suncoast Spinners promoted reverse inclusion, which sees them invite able-bodied players to join in with players who also use a wheelchair in their everyday lives.

“It’s about giving everyone a go and it provides a great place where families can play the same sport together, instead of having to only watch from the sidelines,” Dr Kean said.

The grant for $10,000 has just been awarded by the Ergon-Energex Community Fund, coming on the back of the Club’s most successful ever National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament which saw more than 150 players from around Australia compete on the Sunshine Coast in January.

“These chairs will increase our outreach and really support the growing club at South Burnett. Everyone is really excited, and we can’t wait for the chairs to arrive midyear,” Dr Kean said.

Energex Area Manager Peter Lougheed said the Suncoast Spinners embodied the spirit of the Ergon-Energex Community Fund.

“Inclusive sporting clubs have the power to change lives.

“We want to empower grassroots groups that are changing their communities for the better and there’s no greater example of that than the Suncoast Spinners.

“We’re proud to support such a great social program, which residents in the South Burnett will now be able to participate in,” Mr Lougheed said.

The Suncoast Spinners are one of 22 Queensland groups whose efforts have been rewarded with a share in the Ergon-Energex Community Fund of more than $130,000.

Check out the full list of recipients here: https://www.energex.com.au/about-us/our-commitment/in-the-community/our-fund/fund-recipients

For more information, visit the Suncoast Spinners website – suncoastspinners.com.au – or follow them on Facebook @thespinners and Instagram @suncoastspinners.