BANGOR’s Wizards Basketball Club has received a major boost thanks to a £1,500 grant from Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme, helping to secure vital training facilities at Bangor Grammar School for the upcoming season.
Affiliated with Special Olympics Ireland, the club is dedicated to athletes with intellectual disabilities and has grown into a thriving community built on inclusion, mentorship and empowerment.
Founded in 2006 with just six players and six volunteers, the Wizards now field two men’s teams and one women’s team, with 24 athletes aged between 19 and 51, supported by a dedicated crew of 12 volunteers.
“This grant is a game-changer for us,” said club volunteer Carol Allen. “Securing Bangor Grammar’s excellent facilities means we can continue to offer a safe, accessible environment for our growing number of athletes. Facilities manager Kevin Stone and his team have been fantastic.”
With the club being entirely self-funded, the grant comes as a welcome relief.
“We’re constantly fundraising for venue hire, transport, kits and equipment. This support lifts a huge weight and allows us to focus on what really matters—supporting our athletes,” added Carol.
Some of the Wizards players have been part of the club since childhood, while others now help coach and manage sessions, reflecting the strong sense of ownership and community within the club.
