COVENTRY sports groups are among 290 across the West Midlands to benefit from a share of over 16,000 pieces of sports equipment used by teams and athletes during the Commonwealth Games.
The equipment, which included bikes, wrestling and judo mats, weights, basketballs and boxing gloves, and following a long application process a diverse range of sports groups were selected.
The giveaway will support the Games’ long-term ambition to support people across the region to take up a sport.
A giveaway event was held at Coventry’s Cardinal Wiseman school, with England 3×3 Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medallist Orlan Jackman joining to hand equipment to the Guardian Ballers and Coventry Wheelchair Basketball Academy (CWBA).
Guardian Ballers promote social cohesion, connection and positive mental health through basketball.
Founder and CEO Kieran Joseph said: “This equipment gives us the tools to transform more lives and empower young people by supporting their mental and emotional wellbeing and getting them active.
“We work with diverse communities that represent the heritage of the Commonwealth – different cultures, races, and religions, and we’re proof that grassroots sport brings people of all backgrounds together.”
The CWBA gives opportunities for people to play wheelchair basketball while tackling isolation and has developed players from grassroots competitions through to the Paralympic level, with two former CWBA players, Joy Haizelden and
Charlotte Moore, representing Team England at the Games in August.
Chair Nicole Cross said the equipment will allow the club to develop a 3X3 basketball offering while giving more youngsters the chance to take up the sport.
Almost 2,500 applications were submitted to the giveaway.
