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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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