Young people with disabilities can try range of sports in new Greater Victoria pilot program
Young people with disabilities in Greater Victoria will get an opportunity to experience a host of different para-sports in a new pilot program called Para PowerPLAY.
The free 20-week program begins on Feb. 6 and will allow people of varying abilities to try seven different para-sports, such as, para-rowing, various wheelchair sports, and horseback riding.
Para PowerPLAY offers participants, aged 15 to 25, multiple sessions of two to four weeks in each discipline that will allow individuals to learn the skills needed to be successful in the sport at a recreational level.
"The program is designed to be inclusive to people of all abilities to try out different sports and get an introduction on new ways to move their bodies," said Para PowerPLAY and One Ability coordinator Navarra Houldin.
"A lot of people don’t know the options that are out there for them for sports, so this gives them that introduction and also sets up for them to build long-term athletics and recreation."
Houldin says some young people with disabilities may perceive that para-sports are only for people who want to engage in the sports at a high level of athletic ability. They say due to the type of disability, some people may have been excluded from high-level sports.
"That can put people off or create a barrier to those sports," said Houldin.
"Not everybody wants to be so dedicated to a sport that they’ve just been introduced to, so this program is a lot more accessible for that reason."
Houldin says by opening the door for young people to try a number of para-sports, they may learn new skills and develop a sense of community and social building that is commonly associated with able-bodied sports.
The idea for the pilot program was inspired by another PowerPLAY program which provides girls on Vancouver Island options to participate in a variety of sports.
Houldin says the group behind the new para-sports program wanted to use the same model to fill the gap for young people with disabilities and provide introductory programs for a number of para-sports.
"All of these sports have specialized equipment that not everybody has access to, largely due to financial barriers," said Houldin.
"This program provides that equipment for free, so people can just go out and experience recreation."
Houldin adds the Para PowerPLAY program is unique because it offers young people a chance to try a range of para-sports at a recreational level.
"Typically in para-sports, as soon as somebody enters they’re brought to a high (athletic) level very quickly, which doesn’t always foster long term athleticism," said Houldin.
"This (program) is at a recreational level that introduces people to a variety of sports, a variety of body movements and so hopefully it will foster that long-term love of movement."
The Para PowerPLAY pilot program is organized by One Ability, a Greater Victoria organization that facilitates athletic and recreational opportunities for people of all ages and variety of disabilities.
"All of our programs are through our various sports partners, (such as) Athletics Victoria, the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association, Rowing Canada and BC Wheelchair Sports is running quite a few of them," said Houldin.
"The goal of this program is to be as inclusive as possible and though we have a number of people signing up with disabilities, we are also open to able-bodied people," they said. "There’s no limit on what your disability looks like."
Houldin says the Para PowerPLAY pilot program is limited to 15 participants and the interest in the para-sports has been high. They say that more than half of the available spots have already been filled.
To register for the Para PowerPLAY program for para-sports visit the One Ability website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person in flames outside New York courthouse where Trump trial underway, CNN reports
A person set themselves on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place, according to CNN.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.