Inclusive Physical Activities (for people with disabilities)
Sports Ability Hub
Sports Ability is an exciting new initiative from Australian Sports Commission, designed to encourage people with disabilities to get involved and participate in sport and physical activity.
Sports ability comes with specialised equipment, training and resources.
Through support from Tasmanian Sport and Recreation Association for People with a Disability (TASRAD), UTAS School of Human Movement and the Active Launceston project a Sports Ability Hub has been set up as a pilot project in the University Sports Centre on the Launceston Campus.
The Sports Ability Program is based around 5 games;
1. Boccia – A bowls-type target game played at the Paralympics. Boccia is suitable for all abilities, and provides an ideal vehicle for inclusion
2. Goalball – A Paralympics sport developed for players who have a vision impairment. It is an exciting invasion game that introduces new challenges to both sighted and vision impaired players.
3. Sitting Volleyball – a Paralympics sport for players for whom standing volleyball may not be an option. As all players remain seated during play, sitting volleyball is an excellent inclusion game.
4. Polybat – an accessible version of table tennis, particularly useful for young people who have coordination and control impairments. Polybat can also be used to introduce younger children to table tennis.
5. Table Cricket – a dynamic table version of cricket for players of all abilities, but specifically those with complex or higher support needs. It retains the three main elements of cricket – batting, bowling and fielding.
5 Traditional games are also available and can be adapted and modified to suit all abilities. These games have their origins in the Torres Strait, Central Australia, Northern New South Wales and South East Queensland
Sessions will be held on Thursday mornings at 10.00am are open to individuals and groups. For more information or to make a booking contact the Sports Centre on 63 243092.
View Sports Ability brochure
TASRAD is the peak sport and recreation body for people with disabilities in Tasmania. They provide information and support to recreation and sport providers to assist them to better include people with a disability. They also promote the benefits of participation to people with a disability. They are a non profit organisation who relies on state and commonwealth funding as well as membership and fundraising efforts.
New Horizons Club provides sporting and recreational opportunities for persons with a disability. The Club was established in 1986 and has continued to grow to become a vital link between people with disabilities and their hopes and dreams of becoming involved in activities that most folk take for granted.
Activities:
Athletics
Swimming
Soccer
Boccia
Basketball
Gymnastics
Tennis
Tenpin & Indoor Bowling
Craft Classes
Discos
Ballroom Dancing
Social Functions
Membership is open to anyone aged 14 years and over, and/or Family Membership including children from 5 year of age.
