Only weeks ago Cathy Maloney began to shape her dream, of bringing Wheelchair Basketball to Forbes and district, into a reality. Initial support from Wheelchair Sports NSW provided eight specialised sports wheelchairs and funding for venue hire so that Forbes could offer people with a disability the chance to participate in sport. Wheelchair Sports NSW believe that sport has the power to rehabilitate and integrate and provides a range of quality sporting programs for all ages and abilities. Cathy, along with trained physio Rochelle Smith, teaches participants wheelchair control and to develop upper body strength and basketball skills.
With the growing number of participants attending every Monday between 4.30 & 6.30pm, Cathy is hoping to secure enough funding to purchase a further three chairs at a cost of $5,000 each.
Similar programs are being run in larger centres such as Dubbo where they hold training days once a month and often have mentor programs with Paralympic athletes. Interested people can contact Cathy Maloney on 0457 125 146 for further information as new members and their families are always welcome.