NRH Annual Championships

Going from strength to strength every year

The National Rehabilitation Hospital celebrated the 12th Annual NRH Sports Championships last week. The NRH Championships enable participants with Spinal Cord Injury, Acquired Brain Injury including Stroke, and Limb Absence to take part in a range of competitive events, and also to try out other sports that may interest them.

This annual event, run by the NRH Sports & Aquatics Physiotherapy Departments, continues to partner with a wide range of external peer support organisations, disability sports agencies, and national sporting governing bodies for this event. These groups provide excellent opportunities for people of all abilities to begin or continue sports after their discharge from the NRH.

Head of Physiotherapy at the NRH, Rosie Kelly said: “Sports activities are hugely beneficial for people as part of their rehabilitation programme - from the physical activity and general wellbeing aspect to the social side of sport and getting to meet people with similar interests. the Annual Sports Championships here at the NRH are focused on patients’ abilities, and trying new activities that they may continue after leaving the NRH.”

The event was held over four days, with over 20 sports available for patients to participate in, competitively, or just to try them out. Some great role models who are past patients of the NRH and have gone on to become Paralympic athletes include: Kerrie Leonard, Gary O’Reilly, Kate Kerr-Horan, Britney Arendse, Patrick Monahan and Colin Judge.

Rosie Kelly added: “We congratulate all the patients who have participated in the completions and tried out the many sports activities this week. This event is a prime opportunity to showcase our new world class sports & exercise facility, and aquatic physiotherapy pools to the fullest and encourage patients to participate in sport during their rehabilitation programme, and also in their community after discharge.”