A TEENAGE wheelchair basketball player is being recognised for her incredible athletic achievements and determination to get others involved in sport with the Rotary Young Citizen WheelPower Sports Award 2019.
Anastasia Blease, who was born with spina bifida, was nominated by the Rotary Club of Flint and Holywell who helped her buy a bespoke sports wheelchair enabling her to develop her incredible natural talent.
Over the past year, the 14-year-old from Carmel, near Holywell, has won several awards including the Denbighshire Disability Sports Award, British Wheelchair Basketball Rising Star Award, British Wheelchair Basketball Young Female Player of the Year Award and the Sports Excellence Award for Disability Wales. She is also Disability Wales’ Embolden Ambassador for deaf and disabled women.
Anastasia Blease, 14, pictured with some of her wheelchair basketball awards
She said: “I want to be an inspiration to younger people, and I like to show them that they can achieve anything they want.
“I am really proud to be the chosen winner of this award as it gives me the opportunity to share my experiences and stories with others, showing that having a disability should never hold you back from pursuing something you love, and being able to represent my local Rotary Club, who have supported me on my journey, is always a plus point of my achievements.”
Anastasia was introduced to the sport when she was eight years old after testing out for her local club’s demonstration sports chair at her local shopping centre.
She has recently returned home with a gold medal from the European Championships in France in November 2018 with Team GB’s Junior Women Under 24’s.
She is the youngest player currently selected for the squad who only began playing six years ago and has played nationally for Wales under 15s team every year since.
Anastasia Blease, second on right, pictured with Team GB's Junior Women Under 24’s team
She added: “Wheelchair basketball is what I love to do, and with support from others I can push myself to be the best I possibly can and make my dreams a reality. I train hard for many hours a week, taking on board all the help and advice my coaches give me, and awards like this help to show my hard work is paying off.”
Rotary in Britain and Ireland President Debbie Hodge said: “Anastasia achievements to date demonstrate her commitment and determination. She is a true inspiration as she lives out her belief that you can achieve your dreams. I know she would like to represent Team GB at the Paralympics one day and am sure that she will succeed.”
WheelPower is the national charity for wheelchair sport, providing opportunities for disabled people to play sport and lead healthy active lives.
WheelPower Chief Executive, Martin McElhatton added: “WheelPower is delighted to present this prestigious Award in partnership with Rotary in Britain and Ireland and it is wonderful that a young aspiring sportswoman like Anastasia is winning the award this year. I am sure Anastasia’s achievements will inspire other young disabled people to play sport and be active. Congratulations to her and we wish her every success in her future sporting endeavours.”
Anastasia will receive her Rotary Young Citizen WheelPower Sports Award, a trophy and £500 for a charity or project of her choice, from BBC TV presenter Ellie Crisell at the Rotary in Britain and Ireland Showcase Conference in Nottingham on Sunday, May 12.
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