Northampton Saints’ Wheelchair Rugby team is set to step up a gear according to Head of Community Connor Fleming, after they were bolstered by the long-term loan of five brand new Rugby Wheelchairs.
The chairs, which were manufactured in Bridgend, Wales by GBWR’s wheelchair and equipment provider, Roma Sport, were delivered to Franklin’s Gardens by Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR).
Saints will deliver their Wheelchair Rugby programme to 14 SEN schools around Northamptonshire and give weekly open training sessions to juniors and adults. The five new chairs will a provide massive boost to this delivery.
GBWR received funding totalling £15,614 for the five new chairs from the Postcode Community Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Saints’ Head of Community, Connor Fleming, said: “We’re hugely grateful to both the Postcode Community Trust and GBWR for the funding and loan of these new chairs, which will allow us to extend and progress the already successful Wheelchair Rugby programme we have at Saints’.
We are back for Wheelchair Rugby every Monday evening @WestonFavellGAT Free for anybody aged 7 - 18+ with any disability. Contact [email protected] to get involved! ♿️🏐💥 pic.twitter.com/tuffHOowWJ
— Saints Community (@SaintsComm) January 8, 2018
“The aim of the Schools Programme is to introduce young people with a wide range of disabilities and learning needs to the sport of Wheelchair Rugby over a four to six-week programme in their school environment.
“If the children enjoy it, and we know already that many of them will, then we will encourage them to continue playing in our Saints Junior section on Monday evenings at Weston Favell Academy.
“Seeing the increase in confidence, the development of new motor skills and the sheer level of enjoyment that the young people derive, from this full-contact, mixed-gender disability Paralympic sport, is absolutely fantastic.
“We are still looking for sponsorship for the scheme for next year and would encourage anyone interested in supporting this incredibly worthwhile cause to get in touch!”
David Pond, Chief Executive of GBWR, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Northampton Saints, one of the latest clubs to join the wheelchair rugby family.
“The sport provides a rich environment for young and old alike to not just develop new skills but to be part of vibrant and fulfilling communities. There can be no wheelchair rugby without chairs and I am grateful to the Postcode Community Trust for supporting the Saints.”
To get involved with Saints’ Wheelchair Rugby team, or for more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Connor Fleming at [email protected].
And for additional information about GBWR, please contact Simon Starr (GBWR Regional Development Officer) at [email protected].
- Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby is the National Governing Body for the sport of Wheelchair Rugby, whose mission is “To lead, promote, grow and support wheelchair rugby for the enjoyment for all in England, Scotland and Wales, inspiring and achieving excellence in everything we do.”
- Postcode Community Trust was established in 2014 and focuses on initiatives that benefit communities through grassroots sports, arts, recreation and wellbeing programmes which improve a community's physical and mental health. It is a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
