The community clubs where Paralympic dreams began

Sabrina Fortune and Deeside Athletics Club 

When Sabrina Fortune stepped into the throwing circle in Paris, she threw a World Record and clinched Paralympic glory. It was an outstanding throw which could be traced back to Deeside Athletics Club.

Because Deeside is where the three-time World Champion first started her Paralympic journey. It's where she developed her love of throwing and honed her skills. 

Ahead of Paris 2024, throwing coach and committee member Lesley Brown says: 

“There is an enormous sense of pride in the club. Sabrina is a brilliant athlete and a great role model to our young members and we can’t wait to cheer her on. There are about 25 of us in the throws squad and there will be a flurry of WhatsApp messages when she competes.” 

And Sabrina certainly hasn’t forgotten where it all started.  

“When she has won gold medals at World Championships, she has come back to the club to show everyone. And it’s not just at the club, she gets involved with lots of local community groups too.” 

In 2023, the track at Deeside Athletics Club was resurfaced thanks to National Lottery funding, while the club has also received numerous other grants. In fact, over the years, the National Lottery has awarded more than £21,000 to the club. 

And this investment is vital. Deeside is an area where there are pockets of deprivation: 

“We want to be a club that’s accessible. It’s so important that we can keep providing sporting opportunities in the area. The last thing we want is to turn children away because their families can’t afford it - so we try to keep the fees as low as possible. It means we’re reliant on grants from Sport Wales to evolve and grow – it’s been absolutely massive for us.” 

“We’ve been able to upgrade the track and the throws cage. We received a grant from the Be Active Wales Fund which has meant we’ve been able to buy new throwing equipment and medicine balls.  

“Behind the scenes, we’ve also been able to support and develop our coaches and officials which is vital, especially as we’re expecting a surge of interest after Paris 2024.” 

Phil Pratt and Cardiff Met Archers Wheelchair Basketball Club 

When wheelchair basketballer Phil Pratt first turned up at a Disability Sport Wales event at the age of nine, little did anyone know that he’d become a two-time Paralympian. 

It was at this event he discovered wheelchair basketball and Cardiff Met Archers Wheelchair Basketball Club. 

Jo Coates has helped manage and coach the club for 21 years. She is passionate about providing sporting and social opportunities for disabled people: 

“Statistically speaking, disabled people at a local level and of working age are twice as likely to be inactive than their non-disabled peers. It’s why clubs like ours play a really important role. We provide an environment where children and adults with lower limb impairments can access social and competitive team sport.” 

And she has followed Phil’s progress keenly: 

“I love watching him play.” says Jo. “We always catch up when he’s back and he often visits the juniors, presenting the end of season certificates.” 

She, along with several other coaches, nurtured Phil’s talents as a youngster, before Caroline Matthews – a former Paralympian herself – became his coach as a senior. 

The club was instrumental in supporting Phil in his early days in the sport, and he has since won bronze at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, won the European Championships and he was named in the All-Star Five at the 2022 World Championships, where Great Britain claimed silver. 

And the National Lottery has played a huge part in his journey too. Not only does he receive National Lottery support as an elite athlete, the Cardiff club has also received significant investment through Sport Wales: 

“We wouldn’t have been able to even start the club if it wasn’t for the grants we’ve received from Sport Wales - or keep it going. We’ve received more than £21,000 since 2007. We’ve been able to buy a fleet of playing chairs. Without these, there just wouldn’t have been a club for Phil to join as you must have a sports chair.” 

In March this year, the club received another grant so it could start a new beginners’ section: 

“We have long had a junior section, but we needed something for those over the age of 14 who are just beginning in the sport. To expand, we needed more chairs, more equipment and more coaches. 

“It’s only because of Sport Wales and the National Lottery that we’ve been able to do that and play a part in Phil’s Paralympic journey.”  

Ben Pritchard and Mumbles Yacht Club 

Rower Ben Pritchard actually started his sporting journey in a different sort of boat. Sailing the waves at Mumbles Yacht Club, it’s here he developed his competitive edge and went on to represent Wales and Great Britain. And now, he’s a Paralympic Gold medallist.

Richard Woffinden is the club’s commodore and is in charge of training. While he wasn’t involved when Ben was sailing, he says: 

“It gives the club a huge sense of pride that Ben sailed here as a young lad. What we’re about at Mumbles is to help young people grow in confidence, give them experience of doing something on their own and to teach them about water safety. It’s fantastic that Ben developed these things here and has gone on to become a Paralympic rower.” 

Every year, the club trains up to 50 children out on the water: 

“Water safety is such a life skill and so important when you’re living here, right by the sea. But it’s all about community too and social connection. We train together and go off to competitions. It can often be the first time that a young person goes away without their parents. 

“The club plays a huge part in mental health and wellbeing too. Being out on the water, the problems you arrived with just seem to disappear,” adds Richard. 

Mumbles Yacht Club is keen to keep costs low so that it can continue to attract members from all backgrounds: 

“We’ve been lucky to receive National Lottery grants from Sport Wales. We’ve been able to buy new boats and equipment as well as train up volunteers to keep our members safe on the water. This means we don’t have to find the money from fees and helps us remain affordable and accessible.” 

Through Sport Wales, the club has received £88,000 since 2002.