St Therese’s Saints Basketball Club are shooting community goals in the Casey region with their inclusive wheelchair basketball program. With over 20 years’ experience, the club is striving towards growing the next generation of state, national, world, and Paralympic wheelchair basketball players.
Disability employment service EPIC Assist (EPIC) were heartened to see and hear of the impact the Saints wheelchair program is having upon people with disability and increasing inclusivity, selecting the club as a recipient in the first round of its community grants program.
Michelle Jankovic, club spokesperson, said that the Saints are proud to be the first club in Casey to support a wheelchair basketball team, following the team’s introduction in 2017.
“With more than 50 volunteers and 200 players, the Saints are a community-focused club that encourages greater social inclusion, participation, and healthier communities,” says Michelle.
“The Saints Basketball Club emphasises the development of leadership skills, self-confidence, and teamwork in an engaging and inclusive environment. We do this by creating safe opportunities for players to develop their understanding of teamwork, respect, and fair play,” says Michelle.
Australia has a strong history of wheelchair basketball and the Saints wheelchair basketball program is a tribute to the sport’s power. Michelle says the program offers people with disability and medical conditions a powerful sense of belonging and an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals.
“Our weekly program works hard to strengthen emotional health and engage players in a physical training routine that develops fitter, healthier individuals,” says Michelle.
EPIC’s grant will help cover court fees for the Saints wheelchair basketball team members.
You can read more about EPIC’s Community Grants Program. EPIC is committed to supporting not-for-profit organisations, community groups, sporting clubs or schools working to improve the lives of people with disability through the program.
