Her Moves x Irish Wheelchair Association
On October 26th, the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) hosted a vibrant and empowering day aimed at introducing teenage girls to a variety of wheelchair sports. Aoife Beggs and the team in IWA, set up the day to encourage teenage girls to try something new, connect with one and other and have fun!
The morning began with a high-energy dance class led by the talented Ana Flood Gomez, whose enthusiasm definitely woke everyone up. The girls laughed and danced together, which really set the tone for the day.
Following the dance session, the girl rotated through stations offering wheelchair basketball, archery, and tennis. With special with Paralympian archer Kerrie Leonard and Irish wheelchair basketball player Kate Reddy, the girls were coached by top class athletes. Meeting these inspiring athletes made a significant impact on the girls, with one of the girls mentioning her excitement at meeting a female wheelchair user Paralympian for the first time. It was clear that Kerrie and Kate’s achievements resonated with the girls.
After an active morning of dance and sports, the girls enjoyed a welcome break at the “Her Moves” creative station, where they also got to meet a special guest—Lily, an Irish Guide Dog, who quickly stole the show. The station provided a relaxing space for the girls to recharge and chat with one another.
For lunch, Aoife gave an interactive demonstration on building a balanced meal, which the girls then got to try themselves. A different spin on how lunch is normally given was definitely a highlight of the day!
In the afternoon, a panel discussion took place, featuring Britney Arnadez (Paralympic Weigthlifter), Lisa Clancy (President of Paralympics), Kate Reddy (Irish Wheelchair Basketball Player), and host Kate Deegan, who shared insights on getting involved in sports, overcoming challenges, and leading with confidence. The conversation left the audience feeling empowered and inspired, sparking a lively discussion among the girls about barriers to sports, their vision for improved facilities in their communities, and their ideas for an ideal sports center.
The day concluded on a high note, leaving everyone feeling motivated and grateful for the connections made. A huge thank you to the IWA team, for all the work that went into creating such a memorable day.
