A local sporting club is expanding its programs thanks to a grant from a community fund.
Suncoast Spinners Wheelchair Basketball Club is awaiting the arrival of 10 new wheelchairs for the South Burnett Spinners, an outreach club formed under the Suncoast Spinners in 2021.
Spinners president and Paralympian Dr Bridie Kean said the chairs would provide a huge boost for the South Burnett club, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Ergon-Energex Community Fund.
“At Suncoast Spinners we support wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby here on the Sunshine Coast as well as in other areas such as Moreton Bay and South Burnett,” she said.
“This is because we want more people, with and without a disability, to have access to our great wheelchair sports.”
Dr Kean said Suncoast Spinners promoted reverse inclusion, which sees them invite able-bodied players to join in with players who also use a wheelchair in their everyday lives.
“It’s about giving everyone a go and it provides a great place where families can play the same sport together, instead of having to only watch from the sidelines,” Dr Kean said.
“These chairs will increase our outreach and really support the growing club at South Burnett. Everyone is really excited, and we can’t wait for the chairs to arrive mid-year.”
It comes on the back of the Spinners’ most successful ever Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, in which more than 150 players from around Australia competed on the Sunshine Coast in January.
Energex area manager Peter Lougheed said the Spinners embodied the spirit of the community fund.
“Inclusive sporting clubs have the power to change lives,” he said.
“We want to empower grassroots groups that are changing their communities for the better and there’s no greater example of that than the Suncoast Spinners.
“We’re proud to support such a great social program, which residents in the South Burnett will now be able to participate in.”
For more information visit the Suncoast Spinners website or follow on Facebook @thespinners and Instagram @suncoastspinners.
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