Commonweal School has a dedicated unit for children with a physical impairment and worked with Wiltshire and Swindon Sport, Swindon Borough Council and GB Wheelchair Basketball to set up the Swindon Shock Wheelchair Basketball Satellite Club. Wiltshire and Swindon Sport (WASP) provided the initial fund to kickstart the Satellite Club and also loaned 10 sport wheelchairs to help the sessions get started.
The club was set up and is open to disabled and non-disabled students in Swindon offering an inclusive sports opportunity to all.
Within four months of being set-up, Commonweal School won at the Inclusive Zone Basketball Regional Championships demonstrating that young people have been inspired to take part and compete. Furthermore, several players from the Satellite Club have successfully transitioned to the hub club demonstrating the participant pathway is clear and well supported.
Outreach work continues to support the young participants to develop the confidence to access the club.
“Swindon Shock Wheelchair Basketball Satellite Club promotes a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing. It also develops inclusive sport between peers and provides a link between the physical impairment unit and the main Shock Club”
Danuta Janicka, Physical Impairment Coordinator, Commonweal School