By Olivia Condous
There’s an exciting new sporting opportunity for people with a disability in Bacchus Marsh to try out.
Specialist Hoops is running a wheelchair basketball program each Sunday at the Bacchus Marsh Leisure Centre, starting up again for term two July 17.
The organisation runs NDIS accessible basketball programs and tournaments for adults and children with disabilities in Melton and Bacchus Marsh, but this year marks the first wheelchair program.
Specialist Hoops executive director Emily Attard said the program was about getting people with all different types of physical disabilities playing sport.
“It’s for people who have physical disabilities, it’s not just for those who are specifically in a wheelchair,” she said.
The sport welcomes people who use wheelchairs all the time, such as those who are paraplegic or have spinal injuries, those who use wheelchairs some of the time such as amputees or those with cerebral palsy as well as people who don’t use wheelchairs normally, such as those who’ve had joint replacements, fractures or reconstructions.
“Our aim is to provide awareness on wheelchair basketball and to get those people who do qualify for wheelchair out on the court playing sport,” Ms Attard said.
The wheelchairs for the program have been sponsored by several local Bacchus Marsh businesses.
Ms Attard encouraged those who were interested to not be afraid to give it a go.
“Give it a try, don’t look at it as, ‘People who are in a wheelchair are different,’,
“It’s still a sport, it’s a lot more challenging than people think.”
“Have a go, don’t be afraid.”
Details: www.specialisthoops.com/wheelchair or 0402 374 563.
