WHEELCHAIR basketball made a significant impact as players with and without disabilities played at the Wiigulga Sports Complex in Woolgoolga last Friday evening.

The Coffs Harbour wheelchair basketball team received a generous donation of $3,000 from steel manufacturers, InfraBuild, to support their equipment purchases and cover the expenses associated with running wheelchair basketball.

Kristian Pallas, representing InfraBuild, expressed his thoughts on the occasion, stating, “Today marks an important part of the InfraBuild Community Connections Programme, where we invest in our communities.

“This is a commendable cause, and we are here today to make a donation to the team and demonstrate our support.”

Pallas emphasised that wheelchair sports are not exclusively for players with disabilities, dispelling common misconceptions.

“But we are not only here for that; we are going to compete against them in a match.

“Wheelchair sports are inclusive of both able-bodied individuals and those who use wheelchairs. “These players are on a whole different level.

“Just watch their incredible mobility in their chairs; it’s truly unbelievable.

“It’s a lot of fun, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Representing the Coffs Harbour Wheelchair Team, Robert Piper shared his experience of the game.

“I started playing when I was living in Forbes, and at that time, my girlfriend suggested, ‘Why don’t you play basketball?’

“I hesitated, thinking I wasn’t disabled enough, which is a common misconception.

“However, they encouraged me to join, and I haven’t looked back since.

“It’s a highly social game; we play for a couple of hours and then gather for dinner and a few drinks afterward, making it a sociable event.”

While wheelchair basketball offers a social experience, participants also have the opportunity to compete at the highest levels, including local competitions and even the Paralympics.

“Bill Latham from Coffs Harbour is our hero; he represented us in the last Olympics,” Piper said.

By David WIGLEY