Residents from three local care homes went head-to-head with the Caledonia Gladiators as part of a new summer sports programme.
The elderly residents of Whitecraigs Care Home in Glasgow, and Croftbank and Rosepark Care Homes in Uddingston, were given a training session in the new gym at the team’s Playsport stadium in East Kilbride before participating in a shooting drill competition on the court.
The summer sports programme is part of the new Renaissance Care initiative called There Aren’t Only Old Ideas designed to encourage people of all ages across Scotland to engage in a summer of sport.
This summer, the care home residents will work with the professional basketball team who will provide special coaching to Renaissance Care's homes throughout Scotland.
They will also work with nurseries, schools and youth groups as they take on challenges inspired by the global sporting events this year.
The senior citizens were given a training session in the new gym at the team’s Playsport stadium in East Kilbride before participating in a shooting drill competition on the court.
Patrick Whelan, Ian Dubose, Samantha Roscoe and Kian Omer-Jones were among the professional players who were on hand to provide tips and encourage the residents to focus on small goals that will help them get fitter.
Iain Harris, a 91-year-old resident who participated in the training session, said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself.
"I am a golfer at heart but now that I’ve watched basketball up close, I like what I’m seeing and am looking forward to a summer of summer.”
Tony McDaid, chief executive officer of Caledonia Gladiators, said: “It’s been fantastic to work with the team at Renaissance Care and our players thoroughly enjoyed training the residents, who put them to the test in the shooting drill competition.
“Initiatives such as this demonstrate not only our commitment to engaging with local communities across the country, but also our goal to break down barriers to sport for people of all ages."
Annette Frew, wellbeing lead at Rosepark Care Home, said their residents have been "incredibly excited" to see the Caledonia Gladiators’ stadium and take on the team.
She added: "Wellbeing is key to our care approach and we’re really excited about this new initiative as we enter another fantastic summer of sport."
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