Sport is an incredibly rewarding pastime to participate in, regardless of your ability level. This is magnified for people with disability for so many reasons – team sports especially, offer a sense of community and togetherness providing the chance to develop and use new physical and social skills as part of the team. Adaptive Sport is the term usually given to sport that has been adapted to suit people with various disabilities.
Disability Sports Australia are the peak body for adaptive sports in Australia and through their website you can find all manner of sports to suit just about anyone.
We can’t encourage you enough to chat to the people or person you support and find out what they might like to try. TRY being the key word here … Keep in mind, playing sport isn’t simply a pathway for those looking to play at a high level, it’s a great opportunity to improve health and general wellbeing just by participating.
So, while we’re here, we thought we’d give you a preview of one Adaptive sport: AFL Wheelchair …
Wheelchair AFL is an adapted version of the great game, that gives people with and without disability the opportunity to play. Based on AFL rules and played on a basketball court, this wheelchair sport is open to anyone to play! Importantly, WCAR is easy to play, and provides an environment whereby participation, enjoyment and safety are a priority.
Wheelchair Aussie Rules enables people of all ages and disability levels to participate and is a totally inclusive sport.
Here’s a preview:
The Game is played between two teams of five, plus interchange players, on a rectangular indoor court divided into thirds with portable goal posts at either end of the field. Scoring is identical to traditional AFL: six points for a goal, one point for a behind.
There is no kicking of the ball. A handball is equivalent to a kick (for example if marked, play stops) and an underarm throw is equivalent to a handball (for example the ball is ‘in play’ and the player who receives an underarm throw can be ‘tackled’). Many strategies in the traditional game apply to the wheelchair version of the sport.
If you’re looking for inclusive sport options in your area, head to Disability Sports Australia to get started and reach out to them for any specifics you’re after.
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