500 Transition Year students take part in UCC’s Wheelchair Basketball4All Event 2025

14 Mar 2025

• Event is led by UCC B.Ed. Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts students.
• B.Ed. students gain practical experience, developing leadership and organisational skills.
• The event promotes adapted physical activity and highlights the value of collaboration between UCC students as well as local and national partners.

More than 500 Transition Year students from 32 schools took part in the Wheelchair Basketball4All 2025 Event, organised by University College Cork's (UCC) B.Ed. Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts degree. The popular event, now in its third year and held at the Mardyke Arena, reflects UCC's ongoing commitment to making physical activity more inclusive and accessible to all.

​UCC students organise the Wheelchair Basketball4All Event as an integral component of the B.Ed. Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts degree programme. This initiative serves a dual purpose: it provides practical, hands-on experience in event planning and management on a large scale, and it fosters a commitment to promoting adapted physical activity through the medium of a fast paced, edge of your seat, Paralympic Sport.

By coordinating this event, B.Ed. Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts students apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, enhance their organisational and leadership skills, and promote physical activity within the community.

For participants, the event provides an opportunity to engage in adapted physical activity in a fun, supportive and inclusive environment. For the organisers – including students and staff from UCC’s School of Education, Irish Wheelchair Association Sport, UCC Sport, and the Mardyke Arena – it highlights the impact of collaboration in making physical activity more accessible to all.

Dr. Diarmuid Lester, Lecturer in Physical Education, Health and Wellbeing in the School of Education at UCC, said: "The dedication and enthusiasm of our organising students, the energetic participation of the TY students, and the unwavering support from our community partners have been instrumental in the event's success."

"The enthusiasm and demand from schools for this type of event has been remarkable, with registration reaching full capacity within 48 hours. This response highlights the importance of opportunities like this for students as well as the positive and inclusive message that physical activity is for everyone,” Dr. Lester said.

Studying Physical Education, Sports Studies, and Arts 

The B.Ed. in Physical Education, Sports Studies, and Arts at UCC equips students with the skills and experience to drive positive change in physical education, physical activity and sport settings.

Through a combination of interdisciplinary learning, practical teaching placements, and community engagement, students develop the confidence and expertise to promote inclusion, innovation and lifelong participation in physical activity.

With strong mentorship and hands-on experience from first year, graduates emerge as educators and leaders ready to make a meaningful impact in schools as well as sporting organisations and other physical activity settings in the community.

Applications are now open for the B.Ed. in Physical Education, Sports Studies, and Arts (CK125). Learn more.