TY Update Spring 2018 | Page 29

part in wheelchair basketball as a team and compete in a national event against their neighbouring schools. The programme includes regional finals with the top teams traveling to the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, to participate in the Championships Finals. Alongside this, schools raised over €50,000 by supporting IWA’s Angels Campaign by participating in fundraising events and activities. All funds raised by local schools will be invested in IWA services and supports in the schools local community.” Jerome Westbrooks, American Basketball Player one of the most iconic figures in Irish basketball, now a basketball coach and PE Teacher encouraged TY Coordinators to register their students for this exciting championships: “Basketball is an incredible team sport and one of the most popular sports played in Irish Secondary Schools nationwide. It is important for everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy and participate in sport. The All- Ireland Wheelchair Basketball Championships provides students and their teachers with a unique opportunity to learn more about wheelchair sports and to participate in a disability awareness programme also. Most importantly the Championships promises to be great fun and something each student can take away as a fantastic programme they participated in as part of the TY Programme’ The Grand Finals of the first ever All – Ireland TY Wheelchair Basketball Championships took place in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on Tuesday, 13 th March 2018. Fifteen schools reached the finals having successfully competed in regional finals. Following an action packed day of wheelchair basketball Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG, Cork rolled to victory claiming the title for the inaugural All-Ireland TY Wheelchair Basketball Championships. and also refereed the national final between Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore Co. Waterford and Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG, Cork which finished 11 - 4 said: “The All-Ireland TY Wheelchair Basketball Championships aims to create an inclusive team sport for students of all abilities, alongside this it is an opportunity to overcome adversity and challenge attitudes through sport. We have had excellent feedback from students, PE Teachers and TY Coordinators about the initiative, all of who have left with a different outlook having competed in the programme” explained Paul Ryan. ! Article submitted by Charlene Hurley, IWA. For more information visit www.iwa.ie/ basketball or contact Charlene, IWA National Fundraising Manager on 087 2600802 or email [email protected] Speaking at the finals, IWA-Sport Development Officer, Paul Ryan coordinated the sports initiative WWW.T YIRELAND.COM