A BRITISH Empire Medal has been awarded to an Aberystwyth man for his services to disability basketball.

Lee Coulson was presented with his award by Sara Edwards, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, in a ceremony at the county council’s headquarters in Aberaeron.

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.

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 opportunities for many people to take part and enjoy and has made the sport as inclusive to all as possible.”

He 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.

After receiving his BEM, 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 carried out sustained and high-impact work in their community.

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