Kids are living life to the fullest at new club
The shouts of laughter and beaming smiles on faces tell their own story.
When Graeme Doig decided to push on with plans for a wheelchair sports club in September last year, there was a sense of heading into the unknown.
The area, after all, had never offered a set-up of its kind.
Would a suitable venue be found? Would the interest be strong enough? And, perhaps most importantly, would everyone have fun?
More than a year down the line the answer to all of the above is a resounding yes.
And, until recently, not even a global pandemic could halt or hinder the success of Perth Eagles Wheelchair Sports and Boccia Club.
The club has continued to offer local opportunities for people with a disability to take part in sports and physical activity.
And a special point worth noting is there is absolutely no cost for participants.
Coaches run a boccia session on Thursday evenings, from 5pm to 6pm at Letham Community Hub, for people of all ages with a physical, sensory of learning disability.
Whether new to the sport and looking to simply participate and learn, or an experienced player keen to improve skills, all are welcome.
The same applies on a Friday evening from 6 to 7pm at the same Perth venue, where it’s all about wheelchair sports, getting active and, of course, having fun.
Sports include wheelchair basketball, badminton, tennis, rugby, rounders and many more.
Founder and co-ordinator Graeme is proud to have witnessed the club grow and can reflect on a “thoroughly enjoyable” first year.
He has put in place the required governance committee and acquired the services of dedicated coaches who love running the sessions.
One of those coaches is Craigie- Lee Paterson, who said: “I met with Graeme when I was looking to start a walking basketball session in Perth.
“He ment i o n e d h i s wheelchair sports club idea and, as I am involved in women’s wheelchair basketball, I was happy to be involved.
“Previously attendees would have needed to travel to Dundee, Edinburgh or Glasgow to attend a wheelchair basketball club.
“There were no real options locally for attending a regular sports session aimed at wheelchair users.
“We offer any sport that can be played in a wheelchair.
“Basketball is popular but we also have boccia, tennis, badminton and general fitness equipment.
“We also arrange visits from sports clubs – so far they’ve had a taster of wheelchair rugby and archery.
“And in the pipeline is sportshall athletics.
“We often end the session with a game of rounders.
“From a coaches’ point of view, it’s great to be able to offer the opportunity to try different sports and it’s great for participants to realise that there is something out there that they can get involved with.
“I also enjoy seeing the participants realise they are often more capable than they think.
“A lot of it is about increasing confidence and meeting others with similar disabilities.
“At our recent AGM we agreed that our focus for at least the next year is to be a participation club offering a variety of experiences.
“But if there are then enough participants wishing to do a particular sport, then we would consider creating a club that is affiliated to the relevant national governing body.”
All age groups and abilities are catered for and one of the younger members is 10 year-old Ryan McDiarmid.
His mum, Annette McLean, hailed the friendly environment and says that Ryan has fallen in love with the club since he first started heading along.
“We first heard about Perth Eagles Wheelchair Sports when Ryan attended the Tayside Parasport Festival earlier this year,” Annette explained to the Herald.
“This event gives children the chance to try new sports and find out more about what’s on in our area.
“As soon as Ryan heard about the Eagles he was desperate to go along on a Friday evening.
“He loves it now. The coaches are fantastic with the children and make it very interesting each week, allowing the children to try a wide range of activities.
“They have had fun trying archery, curling, boccia and, Ryan’s favourite, basketball.
“Everyone is made to feel very welcome and included in the group.
“It is great to go along to meet new friends and most importantly all have fun together.”
For Graeme, who proudly watched the first club session take place on September 27 last year, the potential to grow the offering further is an exciting prospect.
Teaming- up with other sports clubs across the region has proved successful and more are being lined up to make 2021 one to remember for all the right reasons.
Graeme said: “We have all thoroughly enjoyed the first year of the Eagles and it has been brilliant to offer these opportunities in the Perth area.
“I’m really excited for the future as numbers grow at our boccia and wheelchair sessions, which are all offered at no cost to anyone coming along.
“We have enjoyed strong partnerships with local sports clubs to keep our sessions fresh and appealing.
“Perth Archery Club recently delivered a brilliant introduction to archery at the club and we look forward to welcoming Perth Strathtay Harriers and Salle Ossian Fencing Club in 2021.”