RGU launch inclusive wheelchair basketball team for North East students

RGU SPORT, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), Grampian Flyers and the University’s Disability Sport Working Group have secured £15,000 funding from Morrisons Foundation for the purchase of ten sport wheelchairs, with the hope that this will open the sport up to a new audience in the North East.

Sessions will be hosted at RGU SPORT and students from any higher or further education institutions are welcome to sign-up and be involved, a first for the region.

Wheelchair basketball is an entirely inclusive sport, irrespective of disabilities, enabling competitors to come together on one equal playing field with no prior experience necessary.

Rory Anton, Club Development Officer at RGU SPORT, said: “This investment is extremely positive for the region and also highlights the positive opportunities that have become possible through great partnership working from the Disability Sport Working Group at RGU.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and Grampian Flyers Basketball Club, whose support and expertise will allow us to deliver an inclusive programme of wheelchair basketball for students of RGU and beyond.

“We hope this will positively impact the student community in the city and aim for this to be the first of many programmes like it.”

Alison Shaw, Regional Manager – Grampian at Scottish Disability Sport, said: “This project ties in well with the work of the RGU Disability Sport Working Group. The aim of the Group is to open up more sports to students with disabilities, and to engage more students with disabilities in sport and physical activity.

“This will be the first specific disability sports club offered at any of Aberdeen’s further and higher education establishments, and will provide a great opportunity for disabled students to be active, improve their wellbeing, and to develop a range of life skills.”

Rory Geddes, a current Law student at RGU, will be using his experience as a key Grampian Flyers wheelchair basketball player to voluntarily lead the team.

He said: “I feel very positive about the future of wheelchair basketball for students. I think it’s great that universities are trying to be more inclusive.

“It’s offering opportunities for disabled students to get involved in social activities and competitive sport which has very positive benefits for everyone involved. Hopefully this inclusivity spreads to other sports and social settings within higher education.”

The wheelchair basketball sessions will begin on Thursday 19 January and run each Thursday thereafter from 8-10pm until 16 March.