Share:
T0morrow in Clontarf, Dublin, the Irish Wheelchair Association Sport (IWA-Sport) will host its ‘HerMoves’ sports open day. The event is designed to empower girls with physical disabilities aged 13-17 to “Find Something That Moves You” in line with the 2024 theme.
13.5% of the Irish population has a disability and 51.6% of those are girls and women. IWA-Sport bridges gender gaps by delivering sustainable participation programs, building volunteer capacity through coach education and training programs, raising the profile of girls and women and delivering a number of leadership initiatives. It is Ireland’s first National Governing Body (NGB) to focus on women in sport with physical disabilities.
The event is part of the HerMoves and Sport Ireland partnership to inspire and support more teen girls to get active through confidence building and motivational opportunities. With research showing that if girls enjoy something socially, they will do it more often and stay with it longer, IWA-Sport’s event is about connection, friendship, active lives and growing its community of teenage girls.
Irish Paralympian powerlifter, Britney Arendse will be in attendance to inspire young women to dive into local sporting activities that promote inclusivity and engagement within the community. Paralyzed in a car crash, she uses her journey of overcoming adversity and conquering powerlifting to inspire teen girls who are also living with a disability. “Never give up, because we can all do great things. God has a plan for everyone, even me when I was put in a wheelchair… I want to do my best and show young kids they can do anything in life and accomplish anything they dream of too,” Arendse told the Irish Independent.
The event is open to teen girls with a physical disability, along with a friend or sister of the same age. Activities will include a PoundFit dance class, Para Archery, Para Tennis, Para Athletics, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Basketball and Boccia (precision ball sport). There will also be a panel discussion with leading personalities from Sport Ireland, IWA-Sport and Arendse, as well as an interactive nutrition workshop.
“I’m looking forward to the IWA-Sport HerMoves event because it will bring together teen girls with physical disabilities in a fun, inclusive environment. Our goal is to create a sense of community, empowering the girls to feel confident and capable by engaging in a range of activities. Attendees will gain self-confidence, new skills, and the chance to connect with others,” said Aoife Beggs, IWA-Sport Women in Sport coordinator.
Share:
