Imagine | Winter 2024
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Winter 2024 A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Winter 2024
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
We invited some of our clients to the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield to try wheelchair basketball – one of the most popular Paralympic sports in the UK.
British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB) is the governing body in the UK. It’s responsible for all aspects of the sport, from grassroots to the GB national teams who compete at the Paralympics and beyond. Through our partnership with them, our clients took to the court alongside current GB women’s player, Siobhan Fitzpatrick.
Head of financial planning at Asset Management, Ed Tomlinson spoke about what sport means to our clients, “We see the importance it plays in our clients’ lives. It’s an avenue for them to achieve things that they never thought they could.”
During the day, everyone had a go at chair-handling, speed, and teamwork exercises, finishing with a closely contested match. They also heard from Jay Popat, a Club Development Manager from BWB, who explained how to operate the sports wheelchairs, the pathways into the sport, and the rules of the game.
Jay said, “All of our clubs are very welcoming. We have all the equipment, workforce, and best venues, so feel free to get in touch with your local club through our website.”
British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB) is the governing body in the UK. It’s responsible for all aspects of the sport, from grassroots to the GB national teams who compete at the Paralympics and beyond. Through our partnership with them, our clients took to the court alongside current GB women’s player, Siobhan Fitzpatrick.
Head of financial planning at Asset Management, Ed Tomlinson spoke about what sport means to our clients,
“We see the importance it plays in our clients’ lives. It’s an avenue for them to achieve things that they never thought they could.”
During the day, everyone had a go at chair-handling, speed, and teamwork exercises, finishing with a closely contested match. They also heard from Jay Popat, a Club Development Manager from BWB, who explained how to operate the sports wheelchairs, the pathways into the sport, and the rules of the game.
Jay said, “All of our clubs are very welcoming. We have all the equipment, workforce, and best venues, so feel free to get in touch with your local club through our website.”
“Our clubs thrive on new membership. Engaging with new people and being able to show them the wonderful world of wheelchair basketball, as an inclusive and adaptive sport, is vital.” – Jay Popat
“Our clubs thrive on new membership. Engaging with new people and being able to show them the wonderful world of wheelchair basketball, as an inclusive and adaptive sport, is vital.”
Jay Popat
Meeting a professional
After taking part in the activities, our clients got the chance to meet Paralympic wheelchair basketball player Siobhan Fitzpatrick, and ask their questions.
Siobhan was born with cerebral palsy, but despite this, her parents always encouraged her to try sport. She says, “You name it, I did it. I did dancing, rugby, hockey, swimming.
“The biggest message is my parents wanted me to do it, they wanted me to achieve something, they wanted me to do sport.”
When Siobhan was growing up, she took part in From Playground to Podium, an initiative to encourage those with a disability, impairment, or SEN plan into sport.
This is when Siobhan first tried wheelchair basketball, “I didn’t enjoy it straight away because I really struggled to admit that I then had to be in a wheelchair at school.” She continued, “Even though I had a day chair, I really struggled to accept I was disabled.”
But Siobhan’s parents always encouraged her to succeed. “My dad said to me, ‘If you can get through these six months, and show me that you really don’t like it, we’ll find something else.’ Here we are 15 years later.”
Meeting a professional
After taking part in the activities, our clients got the chance to meet Paralympic wheelchair basketball player Siobhan Fitzpatrick, and ask their questions.
Siobhan was born with cerebral palsy, but despite this, her parents always encouraged her to try sport. She says, “You name it, I did it. I did dancing, rugby, hockey, swimming.
The biggest message is my parents wanted me to do it, they wanted me to achieve something, they wanted me to do sport.”
When Siobhan was growing up, she took part in From Playground to Podium, an initiative to encourage those with a disability, impairment, or SEN plan into sport.
This is when Siobhan first tried wheelchair basketball, “I didn’t enjoy it straight away because I really struggled to admit that I then had to be in a wheelchair at school.” She continued, “Even though I had a day chair, I really struggled to accept I was disabled.”
But Siobhan’s parents always encouraged her to succeed. “My dad said to me, ‘If you can get through these six months, and show me that you really don’t like it, we’ll find something else.’ Here we are 15 years later.”
When thinking about the benefits of getting into a team sport, Siobhan said, “The biggest thing was I finally accepted who I was, I finally found who I was, all through having those difficult conversations I didn’t want to have with my mum, dad, and sister.
“I could look at someone in a wheelchair, with cerebral palsy or an amputee, they’ve had a car accident, a brain injury, a motorbike accident or whatever it may be, or they’re born like that like me. To have those comparisons, I thought…
If they can achieve something,
then I can too.
Siobhan
Get involved
Matt Wild, our financial planner and wheelchair basketball player for Sheffield Steelers said our relationship with BWB is, “…key for days like today.
“I’ve been approached by two clients who’ve come to the session today and asked if they can come to my club and have a go. So, getting that exposure is massive.”
Matt continued, “I’ve made so many friends through basketball. I’ve been playing 30 years and I’ve met so many people across the UK and Europe.
The community within basketball is amazing. My team is like my extended family.”
Our client John was one of those who approached Matt. He suffered a brain injury at birth and has been supported by our Medical Negligence and Asset Management teams.
“John started at Special Olympics group when he was 11 years old.” his mum Liz said. “So he’s always done sport and swimming as a child twice a week.
“John has loved wheelchair basketball today. He put his hand up, which is most unlike him, to ask a question [about joining a club].
I’ll take him to hospital to see [if he can take part] and it might not come to anything. But if he wants to try wheelchair basketball, we have to pursue it.”
Get involved
Matt Wild, our financial planner and wheelchair basketball player for Sheffield Steelers said our relationship with BWB is, “…key for days like today. I’ve been approached by two clients who’ve come to the session today and asked if they can come to my club and have a go. So, getting that exposure is massive.”
Matt continued, “I’ve made so many friends through basketball. I’ve been playing 30 years and I’ve met so many people across the UK and Europe. The community within basketball is amazing. My team is like my extended family.”
Our client John was one of those who approached Matt. He suffered a brain injury at birth and has been supported by our Medical Negligence and Asset Management teams. “John started at Special Olympics group when he was 11 years old.” his mum Liz said. “So he’s always done sport and swimming as a child twice a week.
“John has loved wheelchair basketball today. He put his hand up, which is most unlike him, to ask a question [about joining a club]. I’ll take him to hospital to see [if he can take part] and it might not come to anything. But if he wants to try wheelchair basketball, we have to pursue it.”
If our clients’ experience has inspired you to try something new, and give wheelchair basketball a go, BWB clubs are accommodating to all. They have equipment you can use and experienced coaches to give you the best introduction to the sport.
Legal support
If you or your loved one have an amputation, a spinal cord injury or have suffered an injury at birth, our experts are on hand to help. We can also introduce you to charities and organisations, like BWB, who can support you.