Net gains for wheelchair basketball club

A WHEELCHAIR basketball team has netted a top title—and now wants to attract disabled people from the Rotherham area to experience the benefits of the sport.

Sheffield Steelers turned on the style to win the Lord Taverners Junior League Championship with the help of Rotherham pair Joe Williams (19), from Kimberworth, and Jack Waring (16), a GB U21 player from Dinnington.

Steelers know there are many more people with disabilities who could get real social and health benefits from wheelchair basketball and are appealing for them to give it a try.

Lorraine Waring, mum of Jack, said: "Sport gives people a way of coping with conditions they would not usually cope with.

"Wheelchair basketball is a pleasure to watch and play and and as a club, the Steelers is open to everybody, irrespective of age or gender.

"We have club chairs, coaches and volunteers who happily support new people arriving at our club."

Steelers carded a clean sweep of wins against MK Aces, Scorpions and Bury Bombers to become Lord Taverners champions at the big event at Sheffield's EIS.

Added Lorraine: "With the Paralympic Games coming up next year, our success gives much hope to new talent coming through. Their passion is simply an inspiration.

"Wheelchair basketball is a growing sport—the British Junior League has grown in past years from nine to 28 teams."

Anyone interested in wheelchair basketball is welcome to go along the Steelers' open sessions on Tuesdays from 4.30pm at the Northern General or ring 07812 566108.