STUDENTS have been pushing the boundaries of sport after taking to wheelchairs to play basketball.
Level 3 extended diploma in sports and exercise students from across the region teamed up with Tees Valley Titans in an initiative designed to promote inclusivity in sport.
Sportsmen and women from Darlington, Barnard Castle, Northallerton, Catterick, Stockton and Teesside took to the court at Darlington College to help them appreciate the challenges of competing with a disability.
The aim is also to launch a satellite Titans Wheelchair Sports Club in Darlington for disabled and able-bodied athletes.
Titans coach Lee Fawcett, of Middlesbrough, said: “Many people with disabilities never really mix with able-bodied young people until they are much older.
heelchair basketball is designed to be completely inclusive and it is great to see players mix so naturally around a common love of sport.”
Student Kane Cullen, 17, of Darlington, who plays for Darlington Storm and Darlington College, aims to compete professionally one day.
He said: “I have really enjoyed the session. It feels really different trying to play basketball sitting down and it requires an incredible amount of upper body strength.
“I would love one day to play basketball professionally, whether that is for Newcastle Eagles or in the MBA in America. The Darlington College course has been excellent in helping me prepare for my future.”
Darlington College learning advisor Karley Cresser said the session was linked to a unit on the course which addressed issues in sport.
“I took part in a similar session when I took my degree and it gave me an incredible insight into the issue of disability and sport,” she said.
“We are also planning to take part in wheelchair rugby which will boost further the students’ experience of the importance of inclusivity.”
For more details on opportunities at Darlington College contact (01325) 503030 or log on to www.darlington.ac.uk.
