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
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.