Do your bit for the Cougars

Based in Loreto College Coleraine, the Cougars are a club for children and adults with disabilities who wish to play basketball both as recreational and competitive sport.

In total there are thirty-three athletes registered to the club; ages range from 6 to 33 years old and all have a learning difficulty. The club is the only Special Olympics basketball club in the North West region. Their two closest rivals are based in Letterkenny and Antrim, so the club provides a vital service to athletes from all parts of the Borough and further afield.

On Friday February 15th the club is aiming to raise funds by hosting their first ever fundraising Pub Quiz at The Port Hotel, Portrush at 8pm. Everyone is welcome and admission is £3 per person payable at the door. Jonathan McFadden, Active Communities Officer Coleraine Borough Council said: “The club supports adults and children with learning difficulties to compete in this major competition. The Special Olympics is a major opportunity for our local team members to compete at a high level.”

The group hopes that hosting a fun quiz will attract a few more members and generate the necessary funds to support their participation at the Special Olympics. Everyone is encouraged to come along and test their general knowledge; it does not matter if it is a team of 2, 4 or even 6, it is all about the taking part!

All funds raised will be invested into the purchasing of training equipment and kit, enabling club members to travel to league matches throughout the country and to hire facilities for the club to train and compete in Special Olympic events.

For anyone wishing to know more about the Coleraine Cougars Special Olympics Basketball Club, or to support the club with much needed funds to compete in local and national sport competitions, please contact Jonathan McFadden on 028 70320022 or email [email protected].