Building confidence, friendships and sporting achievement in Moate
The Shannonside Steelers are a wheelchair basketball club serving children and young people with physical disabilities across the Westmeath and wider Midlands area. Training at Moate Sports & Recreation Centre, the club provides an opportunity for young people to enjoy sport, develop new skills and experience the benefits of being part of a team.
Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, exciting team sport that combines skill, teamwork, determination and tactical awareness. For the young players involved with the Steelers, however, the benefits extend well beyond the court.
The club is a place to make friends, grow in confidence, challenge yourself and discover what can be achieved through sport.
A club where everyone belongs
At the heart of the Shannonside Steelers is a supportive team environment where young people can develop at their own pace, enjoy themselves and celebrate one another’s achievements.
Playing sport can help young people build independence, improve physical fitness and develop valuable life skills. It also brings families together, creating a community where parents can connect and share experiences.
As young Steelers player Sophie Greham has explained, the club feels like one big family, with members supporting one another and having the freedom to be themselves.
That sense of belonging is a central part of what makes inclusive sport so important.
From Moate to the international stage
The Shannonside Steelers are also helping young players discover just how far their sporting ambitions can take them.
One inspiring example is Conor Dufficy from Moate, who earned the opportunity to represent Ireland internationally. In 2025, Conor was selected for Ireland’s wheelchair basketball team at the European Para Youth Games in Istanbul, having previously been selected for Ireland’s Under-23 wheelchair basketball team.
His journey demonstrates the opportunities that can open up when young athletes are given the chance to participate, develop their skills and pursue their ambitions.
Conor’s achievements are a source of pride for Moate and an inspiring example for other young players coming through the sport.
Get involved with the Steelers
The Shannonside Steelers welcome enquiries from families interested in wheelchair basketball for children and young people with physical disabilities.
Whether your child already loves sport or is looking to try something new, the club offers an opportunity to learn, make friends and become part of a team.
Training: Tuesday evenings, 6:15pm–7:45pm
Venue: Moate Sports & Recreation Centre
Age group: Children and young people aged 5–17 with physical disabilities
To find out more about joining the Shannonside Steelers, contact local volunteer David on 085 834 4889, or visit the Irish Wheelchair Association’s sports club finder.
Supporting inclusive sport in our community
Moate Sports & Recreation Centre is proud to provide a home for sporting activities that bring people together and create opportunities for participation and achievement.
The Shannonside Steelers demonstrate the value of making sport accessible to everyone. From a child’s first training session to the dream of representing Ireland, every step forward matters.
We look forward to seeing the club and its players continue to grow, both on and off the court.