|
ParaFed Canterbury works with local sports clubs and organisations to offer a range of competitive Para sport opportunities to our members. In most cases members will require a classification before becoming involved in competitive Para sport.
Below is a list of the Para sports available in Canterbury.
|
|
Do you have any questions about
Para sport in Canterbury?
Hadleigh Pierson
Sports Manager
022 064 3001
Email
|
|
|
BOCCIA
Boccia is a game of strategy and accuracy. It is played by people with cerebral palsy or impairments that affect motor skills.
It is a sport similar to indoor bowls and pétanque. It is played on a flat, smooth surface, where players must throw or roll leather balls as close as possible to a white target ball (the jack). The player, pair or team with the most balls near the jack is the winner.
Training
The ParaFed Canterbury Boccia Club provide club training on Saturday mornings and junior boccia training on Thursday afternoons.
Competitions
There are opportunities to compete in Boccia at school events, club tournaments, the Halberg Games, the South Island Championships and the NZ Nationals.
|
Boccia Club Training
Saturday
10:00am - 1:00pm
Burwood Hospital
Coach: Jeremy Morriss
Junior Boccia Training
Thursday
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Bishopdale Community Centre
Coach: Thomas Chin
Costs
Boccia Club Fees = $40 per/year
Junior Boccia = $4 per/session
|
|
|
PARA SWIMMING
Para swimming has only a few adjustments to the standard rules of swimming and includes events in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and medleys.
Diving or water starts are permitted, and those with visual impairments can be assisted by the use of 'tappers' to make them aware of upcoming turns.
Training
The majority of swim clubs in Canterbury provide an inclusive environment for Para swimmers to train as part of their squads. In addition, the Aquagym Swim Club run junior Para swimming training's on Thursday nights.
Competitions
There are opportunities to compete in Para swimming at school events, club swim meets, the Halberg Games, NZ Secondary Schools, NZ Short Course and NZ Open Championships.
|
Training
Training & coaching available via swimming clubs (see link below)
Canterbury Swim Clubs
Link to Canterbury Swim Clubs
Aquagym Junior
Para Swimming Training
Thursday
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Aquagym
Coach: Felicity Lowen
Costs
Aquagym Sessions = $32 per/term
|
|
|
PARA SHOOTING
Para shooting is the ultimate test of accuracy and control. Para shooting features pistol and rifle categories and depending on the athletes disability they are able to shoot from either sitting or standing position.
The competition format is very similar to that of able-bodied shooting sport - the goal of shooting is to place a series of shots inside the centre ring (bullseye) of the target.
Training
The ParaFed Canterbury Shooting Club provides training on a Tuesday afternoon at the Marshland Community Hall. The club focuses on the 10m Air Rifle discipline. New members are welcome and the club has a range of equipment for new members to try.
Competitions
Para shooting provides opportunities to compete in monthly club competitions, the Canterbury Championships, NZ Shooting Cup and NZ Nationals.
|
Para Shooting Club Training
Tuesday
12:30pm - 5:00pm
Marshland Community Hall
Coach: Grant Philip
Costs
Para Shooting Fees = $30 per/term
|
|
|
PARA ATHLETICS
Para athletics offers a wide range of running, jumping, pushing and throwing events. Canterbury Athletics run an inclusive inter club programme for Para athletes at Ngā Puna Wai during the summer.
Children's Athletics (7-14yrs) - Saturday mornings
Senior Athletics (15yrs +) - Saturday afternoons
Para athletes need to be registered with an athletics club to compete in the inter club competitions. Most athletic clubs offer coaching and training sessions during the week.
Wheelchair Racing & Seated Throwing
ParaFed Canterbury can assist members to get involved in wheelchair racing and seated throwing by providing access to racing wheelchairs, throwing frames and basic coaching.
Competitions
There are opportunities to compete in Para athletics at school events, inter club competitions, the Halberg Games, NZ Secondary Schools and New Zealand Track & Field Championships.
|
Training
Training & coaching available via athletics clubs (see link below)
Canterbury Athletics Clubs
Link to Canterbury Athletics Clubs
|
|
|
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY
Wheelchair Rugby is a mixed team sport for male and female athletes. It combines elements of many sports, including basketball, rugby and ice hockey. Players compete in teams of four to carry a ball across the opposing team's goal line. Full contact between wheelchairs is an integral part of the sport as players use their chairs to block and hold opponents.
To be eligible to play, athletes must have some loss of function in at least 3 limbs.
Training
Canterbury Wheelchair Rugby run two training sessions per week during the season (Feb-Oct) and can offer new players advice on accessing equipment such as rugby wheelchairs, gloves and straps.
Competitions
The wheelchair rugby season begins in February and ends with the National Championships in late September/October.
|
Wheelchair Rugby Training
Tuesday 5:45pm - 7:00pm
Thursday 5:45pm - 7:00pm
Mairehau High School
Club: Canterbury Wheelchair Rugby
Costs
CWR Fees & Levies Apply
|
|
|
PARA CYCLING
Para cycling offers events for tandems, bikes, trikes and handcycles. The sport is for people with visual impairments, cerebral palsy, amputations, spinal cord injuries and other classifiable disabilities.
The competition programme includes sprints, individual pursuits, the 1000m time trial, road races and road time trials for both individuals and teams.
Training
Para cyclists in Canterbury have the opportunity to train with the Odlin Cycle Coaching (OCC) Para Cycling Squad. The squad come together for fortnightly sessions over the summer to work on cycling skills & safety, time trials, hill rides and all things cycling.
Competitions
There are opportunities to compete in local road cycling time trials (8km & 16km) and round 1 of the Para Cycling Three Wheels Race Series is held in Christchurch every year. There are national championships held annual for both road and track cycling.
|
OCC Para Cycling Training
Summer Months
Fortnightly Sessions
Coach: Paul Odlin
|
|
|
PARA TABLE TENNIS
Para table tennis follows the usual table tennis rules with only slight modifications. This sport is open to people with upper and lower limb paralysis, cerebral palsy, amputees and other physical disabilities like multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
Para table tennis is included in the Table Tennis Canterbury training sessions on Tuesday evenings.
|
Training
Tuesday
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Table Tennis Canterbury Stadium
Club
Table Tennis Canterbury
Coach
Akiko Goto
|
|
|
WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
In Wheelchair tennis, the ball is allowed to bounce twice before your opponent has to return so long as the first bounce is within the boundaries of the court. Apart from that, the rules are very similar to standard tennis and the game is played on the same size court.
Wheelchair tennis can be played against standing players, either socially or at clubs. The Wheelchair tennis Community in Canterbury meet regularly for training and tournaments.
|
|
|
|
WINTER PARA SPORTS
Para alpine skiing features six disciplines: downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-G, super combined, and team events. Athletes combine speed and agility while racing down slopes at speeds of around 100km/h.
Para snowboard features three disciplines: snowboard-cross, banked slalom and giant slalom. Athletes combine speed and agility while racing down courses as fast as possible.
Training
Disabled Snowsports Canterbury has a proven track record of providing practical support to skiers and snowboarders with physical disabilities. They have been in operation for over 40 years having provided over 2500 ski days for a wide range of disabilities.
Disabled Snowsports Canterbury ski every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday during the Mt Hutt ski season (June until early October).
New members are always welcome, especially those wanting to have fun on the snow.
Training Times (June - October)
Wednesday, departs 8:00am
Saturdays, departs 7:30am
Sunday, departs 7:30am
Mt Hutt (transport departs from the Caltex on Russley Road).
|
Training
Wednesday, Saturday & Sundays
(June until early October)
Mt Hutt
Coach: Joe Hurrell
Costs
Membership to Disabled Snowsports Canterbury is required, however they do offer a trial day for new members.
|
|
|
PARA ROWING
Para rowing is a sport open to male and female athletes, which includes the boat classes of mixed coxed four, mixed double skulls and single skulls. Races are contested over 1km and adaptive equipment may include a fixed seat and gloves.
The Union Rowing Club runs an adaptive rowing option on a weekly basis. This is currently a small group that train on indoor rowers, but can progress to on the water training when appropriate.
|
Training
Tuesday (Indoor Rowing)
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Kerrs Reach
Club
Union Rowing Club
Coach
Karen Rickerby
|
