Wheelchair sports action expands horizons

“We initially trialed the workshop with our Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS) course and the feedback from students has been so positive that we decided to implement it with all of our Year 10 PDHPE classes,” says the Head of PDHPE, Mr Bow Robertson.

“We then integrated this workshop into a unit of learning based around inclusiveness, which also involved developing specific skills and Character Strengths; being servant-hearted and open-minded in their approach to learning, while also being persistent and communicative in learning the new skills.”

“Shooting was particularly challenging because the perspective was different and you had to use more upper body strength to get the ball to hoop height.”

– Ilia Campbell

There is much deeper learning that takes place too, with students not only learning some of the skills involved in wheelchair sport but also how sports can be adapted to cater for different levels of ability. They also heard personal stories from participants who have had to overcome many obstacles, both physical and social, to participate in disability sports.

Year 10 students Oliver Frederick, Ilia Campbell, Aaron Parsons and Connor Nelson expected it would be hard to manoeuvre the wheelchair but underestimated how physically demanding it would be.

“Learning how to use the wheelchair was really enjoyable but the most challenging aspect was the constant moving back and forth up and down the court – I had pain in muscles I never knew existed,” Oliver says.

Ilia says shooting baskets was the most difficult thing for her. “It was interesting to play a sport I’m familiar with in a new way that uses different skills and strengths,” she says. “Shooting was particularly challenging because the perspective was different and you had to use more upper body strength to get the ball to hoop height. You also had to have lots of strength in your fingers to keep yourself moving forwards for the whole game.”

Connor says adaptive sports are a lot more fun to play than he expected. “It was really challenging going around the field past other wheelchairs and shooting, what was interesting was that the height of players is no longer a factor. The teamwork element was really fun too.”

Aaron said it was good to realise that even though people can be born with limitations, they are still able to play a variety of sports. “It was fun but I didn’t think it would be that hard,” he says.

Ilia observed: “It’s a lot harder to play sport with a disability and these adapted sports are really a different sport because of the change in the rules and the different skills required.”

Along with the rules and skills learnt, the students also gain an understanding of how people can adapt to situations and overcome adversity and disadvantage throughout their lives, says Mr Robertson.

“It was really challenging going around the field past other wheelchairs and shooting, what was interesting was that the height of players was no longer a factor. The teamwork element was really fun too.”

– Year 10 student Connor Nelson

Students in Stage 5 PDHPE (Years 9 and 10) also learn about the disadvantages and exclusion that often takes place for those who are homeless who want to play sport.

“Students participate in a Big Issue workshop, with some of the presenters being part of the Community Street Soccer Program – an initiative that brings marginalised members of the community together to play sport,” Mr Robertson explains. The students learn about some of the challenges that people face and the importance of social inclusion for those who are homeless or marginalised.”

In the future, he says they are exploring the possibility of students participating in Goalball, which is coordinated by Sydney University. “We have also organised excursions to wheelchair sports tournaments and are always looking for ways to link these valuable learning experiences with the curriculum,” Mr Robertson says.