Wales is known for its love of rugby, so it was no surprise that students at Coleg Gwent’s Pontypool Campus enjoyed the chance to tackle Paralympic sport wheelchair rugby this week.
Independent Living Skills (ILS), and health and social care students welcomed members of the Cardiff Pirates Wheelchair Rugby Team to the Campus, and were soon getting to grips with the basics of the skilful and exciting game.
The Cardiff Pirates, governed by Great British Wheelchair Rugby Limited (GBWR), talked students through the sport, which is played in clubs across the UK, from regional leagues to national levels. Some Cardiff Pirates players are preparing to represent Great Britain in the 2012 Paralympic games this summer as part of Team GB.
Following an explanation of the rules, the team demonstrated the fast-pace and full contact nature of the sport, played on a basketball-sized court with goals at either end, using their wheelchairs to block and tackle each other. Students were invited to try the sport, and took part in mini-games and skill exercises, such as weaving in and out of cones to test their speed and control of a wheelchair.
Helen Murray, Inclusion Coordinator at Pontypool Campus and organiser of the visit said: “The Cardiff Pirates visit was inspirational for our ILS students, as some have disabilities themselves.
“As well as being fun and entertaining the Pirates showed all the student groups how barriers like disability can be overcome, and encouraged them to look at disability in a positive way.”
ILS student Toby Wright was among the students trying to master a wheelchair and the sport for the first time. He said: “I enjoyed playing the games, and learning how to control the wheelchair with the skill exercises.”
Sarah Pugh, a health and social care student was equally enthusiastic, and was proud to score a couple of goals in her games: “I loved taking part, it’s so much harder than it looks though, because it takes lots of upper body strength!”
Cardiff Pirates Coach Paul Jenkins said: “The sport itself is full-contact and very fast, requiring qualities such as self-confidence and determination in players.
“Coleg Gwent students were excellent and really got involved in the demonstrations and games.
“We hoped to give a fun and informative experience, as well as raising awareness of the sport.”
