Any sports clubs aiming to offer more inclusive opportunities for disabled people during 2024 need look no further than Bangor Gymnastics Club and Rhiwbina Squash Club for inspiration.
Both are shining examples of clubs who have put a lot of thought into how they can create a place where everyone is welcome to enjoy sport.
Whether it be through offering different formats of their sports, or training their coaches to cater for people’s differing needs, both clubs have made inclusive sport a priority.
Wheelchair squash in Cardiff
Rhiwbina Squash Club in Cardiff first started offering fortnightly racketball sessions more than 10 years ago.
Since then, they have developed wheelchair squash sessions which they host every Thursday evening.
John Cooper was a non-disabled player at the club, who now uses a wheelchair after a serious illness.
Club committee member Richard Plenty says: “In 2019, John came to one of our wheelchair sessions and has been coming ever since.
“The sessions always end in the bar and we go out on social evenings for a beer and a curry!
“We could not have been on this journey if it wasn't for the coaches, participants, Joanna Coates-McGrath at Sport Cardiff, and our sponsor David Rees, who, when knowing he was going to pass away, left money so our sessions could continue.”
