The Cardiff Celts Wheelchair Basketball Team returned to the city as national champions.
The squad returned home with two trophies after travelling to Sheffield to compete in the national finals.
Nerves were high as they travelled to the event – especially because it was Friday the 13th.
But the Celts first team became 2nd Division champions and qualified for division one after the playoffs. The team has only been competing in the national league for five years so the achievement was unexpected. They have also only been playing in the 2nd Division for two seasons.
The Celts also had one of the smallest benches of the championships, with just seven players.
Player Caroline Matthews said: “It’s been an absolutely awesome season for Celts 1 and, personally speaking, it’s been an absolute pleasure to play in that team. The collective team spirit and effort has been amazing and every single team member contributed to the final score at the playoff weekend, the same as they had throughout the regular league season. The future is looking bright for one of the league’s newest clubs!”
The second team also won the division south trophy at the event and finished top of the table.
Nigel Howells, Cardiff city councillor for sport, leisure and culture, said: “The Celts have demonstrated a huge degree of determination and team spirit and their achievements at the national championships are inspirational.
“Sport Cardiff is committed to providing disability provision in many different sports and the Celts have shown the success that can be gained from excellent coaching and hard work.
“Cardiff is proud to be the chosen pre-games training camp for both the Australian and South African Paralympic Teams, an inspiration for future Paralympians from the capital.”