Cougars Connect: Growing Inclusive Basketball

Aim

Breaking barriers through inclusive basketball: helping people with learning disabilities get active, connect and belong.

Who are we?

Coleraine Cougars Special Olympics Club is a volunteer-led club affiliated with Special Olympics Ireland. 

We provide weekly basketball training and competition opportunities for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. 

Our club is more than just basketball. We help people improve their health and wellbeing, build confidence, develop friendships and become part of a supportive community where everyone is valued and encouraged to achieve their potential. 

Why are we crowdfunding?

Despite the proven physical, mental and social benefits of sport, people with learning disabilities continue to face significant and persistent barriers to participating in sport, such as communication challenges, difficulties understanding instructions and social cues, inadequate provision of appropriate support, and widespread misconceptions about their abilities.  These barriers can reduce confidence, limit participation, and prevent full involvement in community life.  Furthermore, many families simply don't know inclusive opportunities exist, while schools and community organisations often struggle to find suitable activities to support people with learning disabilities. 

This project will allow us to take basketball into local communities so we can reduce barriers to participation and address the challenges faced by people with learning disabilities in accessing and engaging in sport.  

We will deliver up to 10 outreach programmes, facilitating up to 20 participants in each programme, each consisting of six weekly sessions, working with schools, disability organisations and community groups across the Causeway Coast and Glens. 

Each programme will introduce participants to basketball in a fun and supportive environment while creating a seamless and structured transition pathway from participation into regular club membership.  

A key priority is increasing participation by women and girls, who remain under-represented in sport, including disability sport and within our club. 

We have actively engaged with 12 potential partners, including local schools and community organisations, generating strong interest in the programme. We anticipate further demand as the new school term begins. 

We have already received positive responses from:

• 2 x Special Needs Schools 
• 1 x Primary School with Learning Support Unit
• 2 x Day Opportunities/Adult Centres (potential for mul
• 2 x Third Sector Organisations 

Some of those who responded have requested to be considered for two or more programmes, if available. Final decisions will be made in September 2026.

Ideally, the programme will run from October to December 2026, but there is contingency to extend into January 2027 if timetabling with partner organisations require this flexibility.

In the unlikely event that demand is lower than anticipated, remaining project capacity will be used to extend existing programmes, provide additional sessions or increase support for participants transitioning into regular club activities, ensuring the funding delivers maximum community benefit. 

How we’ll spend the money raised

Funding will support: 

Programme delivery by qualified outreach coaches (60 sessions × 1.25 hours @ £30/hour)      Total = £2,250 

Programme delivery support - equipment transport, set-up and pack-down (60 sessions × 1.5 hours @ £30/hour)     Total = £2,700 

To assist the coach with delivery of engaging basketball sessions, portable basketball nets and other basketball equipment will need to be transported to the training venue by van, unloaded, and assembled prior to session commencement.

After each session the equipment will need dismantled, loaded back into the van and moved to the next venue or back to storage.

Two portable basketball systems     Total = £1,000

2 x Decathlon Basketball Hoop B500 Easy Box @ £500 each.  Total = £1,000 

To make the delivery of basketball sessions attractive to potential athletes with a learning disability, they should experience the joy of scoring. Many schools don’t have basketball nets and any that do will be fixed at 10 feet high, beyond the reach of many of our target group.

The portable units can be adjusted below 8 feet through to the standard 10-foot height, allowing the programme delivery to provide an appropriate challenge level for athletes of different abilities.

The units have also been selected specifically for outreach delivery, as they can be transported between schools and community venues. Their design allows easier assembly and breakdown, with split ballast systems (6 x 15kg) making movement and storage more practical.

Basketballs, bibs, and coaching equipment     Total = £506.52

Size 4 basketballs                          4 x £17.33 = £69.32

Size 5 basketballs                          6 x £19.79 = £118.74

Size 6 basketballs                          7 x £15.19 = £106.33

Size 7 basketballs                          6 x £17.60 = £105.60

Footprints (Sets of 3 pairs)            3 x £14.19 = £42.57

Training bibs (4 colours)                4 x £15.99 = £63.96

Venue hire (where required)  18 x £11.86     Total = £213.48 

Community impact

This project will create new opportunities for people with learning disabilities to become more active, improve their physical and mental wellbeing, build confidence and develop lasting friendships through sport. 

We aim to: 

• Deliver up to 10 six-week outreach programmes. 
• Introduce inclusive basketball to new participants across the Causeway Coast and Glens.
• Increase participation by women and girls. 
• Build stronger partnerships with schools and community organisations.
• Welcome new athletes into regular weekly club sessions. 
• Strengthen our volunteer team to support future growth. 
• Create a lasting legacy through equipment, partnerships and increased awareness of inclusive sporting opportunities. 

Success will be measured through participation levels, new athlete registrations, volunteer recruitment and feedback from participants, families and partner organisations.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 24th September 2026 at 3:17pm