PENRITH PUMAS have been chosen as a finalist in the SPORTS PERSON/TEAM OF THE YEAR category for the Pride of Cumbria Awards 2024, in association with NRL and GSK.
Read Megan’s nomination below;
The sport has shown Megan that no matter what a person’s ability is, there is a role for them within the sport not just playing but other routes like volunteering on the bench, officiating or even refereeing.
Megan introduced the sport into Cumbria to enable individuals with any physical impairments or hidden disabilities in or out of a wheelchair to access an all-inclusive, thrill seeking, adrenaline rush full contact sport!
Playing doesn’t just benefit your physical health but improves your mental wellbeing too! Why not join our family and meet some amazing people just like YOU!
Megan has developed Penrith Pumas to unite communities across Cumbria through the power of sport, specifically Wheelchair Rugby.
Her aim is to show communities of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds that not all disabilities are visible and there are no limitations to what an individual can do. In doing so, we aim to build stronger connections across different communities empowering them to become more inclusive.
Puma’s aspires in bringing together individuals who have encountered significant life changing injuries or live with long term chronic health conditions that they cannot ever except or be satisfied with. Living with a body that is not independent, requires assistance with daily tasks can leave them feeling caged and angry. By doing so, we can show others who have got a disability or injury that there is a life post injury or diagnosis! There is an opportunity to get involved in a sport that isn’t all about competing, don’t get me wrong we work hard for competing but there is the social element too. Meeting like-minded people, or people who think they cannot play, or the sport is not for them letting their disability define them and showing them that the only person holding them back is themselves.
Wheelchair rugby is not just training to compete, a club, a team we are a family! All the clubs are connected at tournaments on an off the court, local friendly matches and stay connected outside of the sporting arena.
If through the power of sport, Pumas can make a lasting positive impact on individual’s physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing this Megan this is what success means. Here is a quote from Richard a current member “playing for the Pumas is the first sport that I have been able to play since I was injured 26 years ago as there are no other clubs or sports local to me that I could take part due to the level of injury that I sustained. Being a part of the team a playing the sport has helped me physically and mentally. The camaraderie that goes with the training has made a big difference to me too.”
For this reason, it is Megan’s aim to ensure that anyone experiencing life changing injuries or living with a disability is given this chance to be involved in this one-of-a-kind sporting environment. Giving them hope, purpose and a sense belonging.
www.penrithpumas.co.uk