TY Update Spring 2018 | Page 28

ROLL WITH IWA In September 2017, Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) launched the first ‘All-Ireland TY Wheelchair Basketball Championships’, which took place throughout 2017/2018. The unique initiative allows TY students across Ireland to engage in a disability awareness progamme and also experience a Paralympic sport, immersing TY students in a fast paced, edge of your seat game, providing an authentic first hand inclusive experience of this incredible game and wheelchair sports. The inaugural Championships saw over 1000 students, alongside their PE teachers, TY Coordinators and peers taking part in the inclusive programme, whilst also raising funds for the vital services and supports IWA provides to people with physical disabilities. IWA is Ireland’s leading representative organisation and service providers for people with physical disabilities. Each year, IWA liaises with local schools and TY students from every county for their national fundraising campaign ‘Angels’. Students volunteer during November, to support their local IWA Centre to sell a range of Angels products in order to raise essential funds for IWA services, supports and activities including wheelchair and para-sports. Speaking about the first ever ‘All- Ireland Wheelchair Basketball Championships’, Charlene Hurley, IWA National Fundraising Manager explained: “The All-Ireland TY Wheelchair Basketball Championships invites Transition Year students to have the opportunity to take T Y UPDATE SPRING 2018