The
Irish Wheelchair Association is the National organisation dedicated
to the achievement of full social, economic and educational integration
of people with physical disabilities as equal, independent and
participating members of the general public.
IWA-Sport is an integral part of the Association. Our policy is
to develop and promote opportunities for people with physical
disabilities to participate in sport at a level of their choice.
We encourage everyone to participate regardless of age, ability
or disability.
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Our
Sports Section consists of:
National Sports Executive Committee
National Sports Council (consisting of representatives from groups below)
Sports Clubs throughout the country
Sport specific sections for all sports
IWA Resource Centres
Senior Section
Junior section
There
are a variety of sports on offer - Athletics (track and field), archery,
basketball, bowls, snooker, pool, table tennis, boccia, badminton, wheelchair
rugby, wheelchair hurling, swimming, orienteering (Trail O), and fun
games.
Members are encouraged to "have a go" at all the sports until
they find one or more disciplines for which they have a particular talent
or liking.
While
some participate for recreation and fun, others practise and train
to elite level.
Junior, intermediate and senior athletes, who wish to participate
in competitive sports, are supported at a variety of levels in the
pursuit of excellence. Support systems include the hosting of events
throughout the year; opportunities to travel overseas for competition
and training; selection to major international competitions and
high quality coaching at national, regional and club level. IWA-Sport
is affiliated to International Stoke-Mandeville Wheelchair Sports
Federation, International Sporting Organisation for the Disabled
and the Paralympic Council of Ireland and has a close working relationship
with National Coaching and Training Centre. We are very grateful
for the support we receive from the Irish Sports Council. |
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For
many it is the ultimate to be selected to represent Ireland at
international competitions such as the World Championships or
Paralympic Games. However, in order to be considered for selection,
athletes are required to train to their optimum. This necessitates
long term sacrifices and total dedication to their sport. IWA's
volunteer coaches play a vital role here and their commitment
is second to none.
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Junior
Sport
Our policy is to encourage young wheelchair users to become
involved at as early an age as possible, usually as a fun exercise.
We introduce them to many sporting disciplines. Depending on their
interest or levels of participation, we guide them towards coaches
in the activities they favour. Once juniors become involved in
a particular sport, the process of talent identification begins.
Regardless of the young person's skill level, every effort is
made to maintain their involvement in sport and give them an interest
for life.
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Senior
Athletes
Senior level offers a broad variety of activities. There are competitions
at local, national and international level. Our athletes are encouraged
to participate in mainstream activities where possible. Many compete
very successfully in able-bodied competitions, such as sailing, snooker,
pool, swimming and archery. The majority of our members compete for
the challenge, for recreation, or to maintain fitness. Some wheelchair
athletes go on to achieve a very high standard of performance and rank
among the best in the world. Such achievements are recognised by the
Irish Sports Council through the Carding Scheme - a system of financial
and sports science and medical support.
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POOL
Ranking 8 Ball Competition in December |
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