In a ceremony held on 18 May in the Council Chamber, Neuadd Cyngor Ceredigion, Aberaeron, the British Empire Medal was awarded to Lee Coulson. The medal was awarded for Lee’s services to Disability Basketball – voluntary and charitable
Lee started the Aberystwyth Basketball Club in 1992 and made a significant impact on disabled people’s lives through setting up the Wheelchair Basketball Section of the Club, where they have a Team in the British League as well as having a regular family fun session.
The British Empire Medal was presented by Miss Sara Edwards, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed.
Ceredigion County Council Chief Executive, Eifion Evans, who presided over the ceremony said, “Mr Coulson is fully deserving of the British Empire Medal. His hard work and dedication to providing inclusive sport has opened up opportunites for many people to take part and enjoy and has made the sport as inclusive to all as possible.”
Lee has also helped introduce Inclusive Zone Basketball sessions in schools in Ceredigion, and is currently in the process of setting up an adult learning disability basketball team.
He has been the Head Coach of the Aberystwyth Basketball Club for 26 years and has also coached the Welsh Under 15’s Wheelchair Basketball Team for the last 3 years. In 2017, the team returned from the British Wheelchair Junior Championships with a Silver medal.
He has been a previous winner of the prestigious ‘Transforming Lives’ Award by Disability Sport Wales in recognition of his work.
Aberystwyth Basketball Club has been awarded the Insport Club of the Month accolade due to its approach to the Insport process and in 2017 achieved the Insport Silver Award.
After receiving his British Empire Medal, Mr Coulson said, “I am delighted to have received this massive honour and to have shared the ceremony with my family and friends. It has been one of my aims through the years to ensure that sport is inclusive to all. Aberystwyth Basketball Club’s ethos is ‘anyone can play’ and I’m proud of all the volunteers and members of our club who’ve made this happen.”
The British Empire Medal is awarded to people who have made sustained and high-impact work in their community.
22/05/2018