Breaking down barriers with wheelchair basketball

There’s a saying, that it is ‘better to give than to receive’ – that sums up the spirit of volunteering in a nutshell. Yet by giving back, a person does receive – they receive a great deal of satisfaction knowing their efforts are helping to make a difference. And when the inspiration and drive to volunteer is a result of having lacked those opportunities as child due to a disability – the rewards are even greater.

This week is Scottish Disability Sport Week (24 – 30 November) and November is also sportscotland’s ‘Volunteer in Sport’ month – so who better to shine a light on, than one of High Life Highland’s hardest working volunteers, Bryan Stevens from Inverness.

Some of you may already be familiar with Bryan – he has spina bifida but that has not stopped him competing and coaching wheelchair basketball both locally and nationally. Bryan delivers basketball sessions to over 40 children on a weekly basis in Inverness as well as organising tournaments and summer activities.

Bryan also happens to be a recent recipient of a High Life Highland i-care Award. Just last month Bryan was recognised for his commitment to volunteering with Active Schools for almost 20 years, picking up the High Life Highland Charity Chair Award.

So what motivates Bryan to give up so much of his own free time?

“When I was growing up, I really struggled to take part in sport. They wouldn’t let me take part with the other children because of my wheelchair – I guess I was considered a health and safety issue,” said Bryan.

“And it’s that feeling of being left on the sidelines to watch your classmates have fun that has driven me to do what I do – volunteering in disability sport – to ensure that other children don’t have to feel the same.”

Having left the Highlands and eventually given the opportunity to get involved in sport in his teens, Bryan quickly became hooked on the hoops and competed in national competitions. However he says his proudest achievements are getting his senior wheelchair basketball team to the Scottish Championships last season and being selected as an assistant coach for the Scotland Under 14 squad.

Having the opportunity to take part in regular physical activity – competitive or otherwise – is important for everyone, helping to boost a person’s health and wellbeing and Bryan is determined that this should also be the case for children and adults with a disability.

“Getting kids with disabilities and adults with disabilities into a competitive sport and building team camaraderie and having fun with their peers is so rewarding. It’s a great moment when they realise, ‘wow, I can do this – I can be involved in sport too’.”

Bryan is undoubtedly a brilliant advocate for disability sports and a valuable role model but he doesn’t do it for the plaudits.

“I just love giving back, it’s that simple. I just want children to have that opportunity,” he said.