IWA-Sport and CEF Join Forces to Support People with Disabilities through Sport

IWA-Sport is excited to announce a new partnership with CEF (City Electrical Factors), Ireland and UK’s largest electrical wholesaler. This collaboration will see the two organisations working together to support and promote opportunities for athletes with a physical disability supporting their journey from grassroots level right up to National Leagues and beyond.

With a shared commitment to fostering inclusivity, diversity, and fun, IWA-Sport and CEF aim to empower people with disabilities to reach their full potential whatever their goals. Many people with physical disabilities face challenges in accessing sports training or clubs within their local community, often having to travel long distances to participate in sports.

“We are delighted to announce the partnership between IWA-Sport and CEF,” said Nicky Hamill, Director of Sport at IWA-Sport. “This funding will allow us to support our athletes from grassroots level, offering them experiences that will have a lasting impact on their lives. I’m very excited to see everything we can achieve together.”

Connor Dalton, Director of ESG, Sustainability and Health & Safety with CEF, commented on the announcement of the partnership saying, “We are thrilled to partner with IWA-Sport and can’t wait to cheer on the athletes as they progress in their busy schedule of competitions over the next year. CEF is committed to being a leader not only within our sector but a force for good with a focus on people, the planet and our communities.”

Gerald O’Hare, Director of Operations, Edinburgh Region, IOM, Gibraltar, Spain & Ireland, based in Ireland for CEF said of the partnership announcement, “CEF is a family business supporting a culture of caring and we are committed to making a positive impact in communities we serve. That’s why we are proud to work  alongside IWA-Sport, helping create meaningful change and open up new opportunities for people with disabilities to enjoy and access sport in their local communities.”

Athlete Casey Fitzgerald from Mullagh in Co. Cavan joined CEF for the announcement. Casey joined IWA-Sport as a Wheelchair Basketball Player before finding her true passion in the sport of Para Powerlifting. Casey’s ambitions are set on competing in the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles, but she is very much dedicated to putting the hard work in at club level. “Being part of IWA-Sport has brought so many positive things into my life. I have competed all over the world but more importantly have found a community where I belong and have made so many friends through sport.”

Through this partnership, IWA-Sport and CEF hope to inspire others to engage in regular sport and make a meaningful difference in the lives of athletes with physical disabilities.

IWA-Sport is the National Governing Body for Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, and Para Powerlifting in Ireland. Alongside these sports, IWA-Sport runs multi-sports clubs for young people with physical disabilities and works in partnership with many Para Sports associations and clubs across Ireland.

Promoting Women in Sport and providing education to coaches, teachers and volunteers in Para Sports and inclusion are core parts to IWA-Sport’s programmes.

Founded 1960, the organisation has led the way in providing participation opportunities across a range of sports catering for all levels, from first time participants to elite athletes.

We are delighted to welcome CEF to the IWA-Sport family and look forward to cheering on our athletes from the sidelines.

You can learn more about CEF CARES – one act of kindness at a time

The CEF CARES programme was established in 2016 to give back to the people and communities we’ve served since 1951. It reflects CEF’s decades-long commitment to creating social value.

For over 75 years, CEF has operated as a family-run business that cares first and foremost for the people we interact with every day.  This legacy of caring informs all CEF do.

CEF Cares demonstrates our commitment by taking substantive, measurable action across all aspects of sustainability and social value, helping inspire positive change in our communities.  With each act of kindness – be it charitable fundraising, community engagement or environmental stewardship we continue our mission to create opportunities and improve lives. CEF recognises that now, more than ever, the scope of our influence can and should be wider and aim to uplift communities through projects that positively impact both people and our shared planet.