They were moved to support the Club to buy equipment for wheelchairs required to run taster sessions of wheelchair basketball in schools when they saw the positive impact the taster sessions have had on the lives of many disabled children, who can often feel excluded.

The sessions provide practical opportunities for disabled and non-disabled children to take part together in wheelchair basketball.

Sheffield Steelers Wheelchair Basketball Club is based at the Northern General Hospital and members come from all over South Yorkshire.

The club, run by disabled and non-disabled volunteers, encourages people of all ages and all abilities to become fully involved in the organisation of the club.

They run 5 teams that compete in the GB Wheelchair Basketball Association National and Super-league competitions and have many experienced players including Paralympians who are fantastic role models for developing and newly injured players.

The taster sessions in schools are part of the Leader programme run by the Basketball Club, which encourages more disabled young people to become physically active through participating in wheelchair basketball. Funding for this was also received from Awards for all and the Local Network Fund for Children and Young People.

The 'Inclusive Zone Basketball' Championship at the English Institute of Sport was the climax of all the school development work the Steelers have been delivering.

Inclusive Zone Basketball is a combination of running and wheelchair basketball, which brings disabled and non-disabled young people together in this exciting new game.

This Championship was the first to held anywhere in the UK and is now been used as a model by the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association, with interest from other countries, as an innovative way to promote inclusion.

Tina Gordon, the Club's junior development coordinator says:

"It has been fantastic to see the positive impact the taster sessions have had on the lives of many disabled children, who can often feel excluded and bored.

"It has been a great chance for them to try a new sport and for many this is the first time they have ever been at an advantage or been the one whom everyone wants on their team, instead of being left out. It was wonderful to see so many children having a fantastic time at the championships and the positive boost to confidence and self-esteem that has arisen.

"We are very grateful to all our funders who have made the championship and the taster sessions possible."

Pauline Grice, Chief Executive of the South Yorkshire Community Foundation said:

"We are delighted to support to such an exciting project that has pioneered new ideas for creating a positive impact on the lives of disabled children and to be able to link Ashton Morton Slack's Fund, through our professional grant-making service, to such an innovative and inclusive community organisation."

Lisa Cooke, Marketing and Events Manager, from Ashton Morton Slack attended the Inclusive Zone championships and said:

"It is fantastic to help support such a wonderful and exciting project that is having so much impact on the lives of disabled and non-disabled children. Aston Morton Slack are committed to making a positive contribution to our local community and the South Yorkshire Community Foundation ensure our grant making is effective."


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