Hopes Paralympics can shine light on Cumbrian wheelchair sports
Basketball and Boccia clubs are currently operating in the county.
Last updated 28th Aug 2024
There's hopes the Paralympics can help shine a light on Cumbrian wheelchair sports, and get more able bodied and disabled people into the games.
As it stands Cumbria Wheelchair Sports Club coach in basketball and boccia, but are looking to expand into other sports, like pickle ball.
Rick Townson is the groups secretary and helps coach the basketball teams.
He said: "It's fairly similar to basketball, same court, same hoop height. Instead of running though you use your chair.
"It is skillful, it's fast paced, it's a non-contact sport although there is a great deal of contact. It's fantastic. It keeps you fit and mobile. It's a team sport so you bond as a team and it's great from a social point of view.
"For a spectator it's very fast paced and exciting. It may be difficult to understand to start of with but once you watch it you gain the perspective that it is the same as the running game, but with more skill involved.
"It also enables disabled and non-disabled people, like at schools, to play together.
"Gone are the days where kids have to sit on the edge of the rounders pitch and maybe if they can hit the ball they get somebody to run round the pitch for them. It's an inculdive sport that allows you to play whether you are disabled or not.
"Whether you are playing as a disabled person or a non-disabled person it's a sport. You can play from a leisure point of view all the way to competitive. That's where the joy of the paralympics is. That's the elite, the top, where you strive to be. We all want to represent your country."