Celtic Warriors Wheelchair Basketball Team

Celtic Warriors represent at Deeside Festival of Sport

Thursday 14th April saw the Deeside Festival of Sport. The event saw schoolchildren from all over Flintshire coming to take part in sports ranging from football and athletics to street dance.

The opening event started the day with a bang - quite literally. A spectacular fireworks display preceded inspirational speeches from the head of Airbus, who sponsored the event, and Laura Deas, a leading light in British bob skeleton, before the children read the Olympic oath.

Among the sports taking part in the event was wheelchair basketball. Anna Jackson and Geoff Moriarty attended from Celtic Warriors Wheelchair Basketball Club, based in north wales, helping hold taster sessions for children aging between 7 and 16. One of the best apsects of the sessions was the joy on the children’s faces as they took to the chairs for the first time and everyone got into the full swing of the sessions. Activities in the sessions ranged between playing games of stuck-in-the-mud and races to full games of basketball. Having never played the game before, all of the children took to the game brilliantly.

The sessions that took part throughout the day were a fantastic promotion for the sport. Not a lot of people realise that wheelchair basketball is a fully inclusive sport. Everyone can play, regardless of disability, or even with no disability at all.

For more information on the sport, go to www.gbwba.org.uk or for more information on teams in your area, including the Celtic Warriors, based in Wrexham, and the Rhyl Raptors, please go to www.celticwarriors.org.uk

Match Report 26/09/10: Tameside Owls II vs. Celtic Warriors

Final Score: 44 - 25

Today saw Celtic Warriors’ first away fixture of the season to Tameside Owls. Celtic Warriors came into the match off the back of an impressive win last week against ex-Super League team Percy Hedly Eagles and the combative spirit that pushed them to victory was still evident, despite being without Mike Hayes, their quick forward.

            Even though they were under-strength, the Warriors pushed hard to make attacks and 4 minutes in the first basketball was scored by Anna Jackson. It looked promising when Dave Connor came on as a substitute and scored thrice in succession to reduce the 7 point deficit. However, the first half was dominated by the height of the Owls and they went into the break with a lead over the Warriors of 22-11.

            The second half started with the Owls running a pressing game against the Warriors and started to open up the points gap, the third quarter ending 34-15. The fourth quarter, the Warriors hard training over the last few weeks was paying off as, while the Owls’ lead was too much to overcome, the Warriors scored equal points as the Owls for that quarter, with Caz Ballard-East with three well-taken baskets. The game ended 44-25 to the Owls.

            Despite the defeat, the Warriors are optimistic about the rest of the season. With a full strength squad and playing to the top of their game, they are confident of giving the other teams in Division One a run for their money.

            The Warriors train on Saturdays from 12pm to 3:30pm at Darland Sports Centre in Wrexham. We always welcome new players and volunteers. Anyone is welcome! For more information please contact Peter Grime on celticwarriorsbasketball@yahoo.co.uk or on 07718990146.

By Christopher Moriarty

Scorers

Peter Grime – 3

Anna Jackson – 4

Dan Spencer – 4

Dave Connor – 6

Caz Ballard-East - 8

Match Report 18/09/10: Celtic Warriors vs. Percy Hedley Eagles

Match report 18/09/10: Celtic Warriors vs. Percy Hedley Eagles.

Final Score: 46 - 43

After an impressive last season, which led to a second promotion in three seasons, Celtic Warriors Wheelchair Basketball Club began their first division campaign with aspirations of building on last season’s performance. The inaugural game was against Percy Hedly Eagles, from Newcastle, who had been relegated from the Super League. If there was a gulf in class, it was never evident as Celtic Warriors were at the very top of their game. In the first half, both teams spent time adjusting and getting the feel of each other. The tension was palpable as the Eagles looked like they were pulling away. The Warrior’s fighting spirit came through, however, and they brought the score back, ending the first half only a point down on 19-20.

            The Eagles began the second half with a pressing game with hopes of pinning the Warriors back and blocking them out of the game. The Warriors showed their flair and were able to break quickly and took advantage of the Eagles’ inability to deal with the pace to take control of the second half. Dan Spencer was on particularly spectacular form, hitting 9 baskets with a score rate of 90%. Strong defending from Peter Grime, Mike Hayes, Caz Ballard-East and Anna Jackson ensured the winning margin of 46-43 was kept intact.

            Building from last season, the warriors now have a good depth squad with new players including Brendan Prophet, Steve Midghall and Geoff, who provided good support from the bench along with Andrew Hickey, another player integral to the success of last season. With Dave Connor as coach putting the Warriors through their paces, hopes are high to keep the winning feeling and produce more fantastic performances this season.

            The Warriors train on Saturdays from 12pm to 3:30pm at Darland Sports Centre in Wrexham. We always welcome new players and volunteers. Anyone is welcome! For more information please contact Peter Grime on celticwarriorsbasketball@yahoo.co.uk or on 07718990146.

Scorers

Anna Jackson - 4

Caz Ballard-East - 5

Mike Hayes - 8

Peter Grime - 11

Dan Spencer - 18

By Christopher Moriarty