There are several organisations that offer sport and recreational opportunities for people with SCI. There are almost no limits to what you can do if you really want to try!
Rebound WA
Rebound WA (formerly known as Wheelchair Sports WA) aims to improve the health and well being of West Australians living with a physical disability through engagement in lifestyle, recreational and sporting activities. This organisation offers social and sporting activities for all ages, there are programs for both children and adults with a separate club for seniors.
Social activities for adults include quiz nights, annual awards dinner, day at Ascot races and comedy evenings. For children there is an annual Christmas party and junior camps at venues such as Point Walter recreation Camp.
Rebound WA runs both wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby competitions from their centre at Mirrabooka which cater for all ability levels. They also run handcycling, soccer and athletics events as well as ‘come and try’ days for sports such as scuba diving. All sports are available from social levels through to elite International competition
level. ReboundWA provide grants to members for purchase of sporting equipment and for funding of travel to National competitions. Equipment such as handcycles and basketball chairs are also available for loan/hire.
For further information tel: 6143 5800 or https://reboundwa.com/
WA Disabled Sports Association (WADSA)
WA Disabled Sports Association offers sports and recreational opportunities and information for people with all disabilities, including those with high support needs. Activities include water skiing, abseiling, electric wheelchair sports, bocce, tennis and many others. WADSA also provide activities in some Regional areas such as Broome, Kalgoorlie, Collie, Derby and Narrogin.
For further information tel: 9470 1442 or www.wadsa.org.au
Sailability WA
Sailability offers people with a disability to sail at either a social or competitive level. The organisation operates from Royal Perth yacht club where there is a special pontoon to make it easier to get into the boats, as well as a hoist if required. For more details contact Ann Hodgkinson, Co-ordinator, Sailability WA Inc on 9423 5526 or www.sailabilitywa.com.au
Disabled Surfers
The Disabled Surfers Association of Australia offers opportunities to try surfing at safe beaches with lots of volunteers present to assist with getting in/out of the water and riding the board if required. Programmes run during the summer in Perth and the South West. Go to www.disabledsurfers.org for more information.
Dreamfit
The Dreamfit Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that uses innovative engineering to fulfil dreams and overcome the challenges and frustrations of people with disabilities. The engineering program volunteers modify, adapt and design equipment for people with disabilities. The Foundation also organises leisure events at venues around the Perth metropolitan area. For more information go to www.dreamfit.com.au.
Abilympics
Abilympics Australia Association Inc participates in International Workskill Competitions every four years. This is a work skill Olympics for people with disabilities where people can demonstrate their skill in everything from wood carving through to flower arranging. The program aims to improve employment potential for people with disabilities by improving vocational skills. The next event will be held in Moscow, Russia, May 2021, for more information please see the website www.abilympics.org.au
Nican
Nican is a service funded by the Australian Government which provides information on recreation, tourism, sport and the arts for people with disabilities. Nican also administers the Qantas Carer Concession Card for people with high support needs who require a carer to assist them when flying. For more information tel:1800 806 769 or go to the Nican website.
Social Groups
The Facebook group ‘Spinal Injuries Chatter‘ is a Perth-based social group founded by people with spinal cord injury. The group organises occasional coffee mornings, accepts posts on secondhand equipment for sale, and posts articles/videos that may be of interest to people with SCI. The Facebook group ‘Wheelie Good Mums’ is a Perth based social group for mums who use wheelchairs. The group meets for coffee on a regular basis to show their children that other mums are also in chairs, as well as to exchange tips on parenting with a disability. This group is open to all disabilities not just SCI.
If you know of any other Groups/Pages that we can include in this section please post their link to admin@spinalwa.org.