Power Soccer
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play soccer from your power-assisted wheel chair? The PoCo Thundercats is a team for pre-teens and teens that does just that. The team meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8PM (call or email first to confirm) at Hope Lutheran Church, 3151 York Street, Port Coquitlam and is in cooperation with Kidsfirst Physio, Coquitlam. Contact Kidsfirst Physio at 604-941-3506 or info@kidsfirstphysio.ca for more information.
Also, check out the Canadian Power Soccer Association for more about the sport.
Power Soccer is designed for people using a power wheelchair in daily life or who cannot practice other collective sports because of their impairments. There are four players to each team. The game consists of two twenty minutes halves with a ten minute break. There are two referees to watch for out of bound play and penalties.
The players attach a foot guard to the front of their chair to move the ball around the gymnasium and get it into the other team’s goal. Speed is an advantage (which is why this game is so popular with teenagers).
There are currently teams in Vancouver, Surrey, Kelowna, and Penticton. There is a yearly tournament in Penticton. Power Soccer is also played in the BC Disability Games (which MR/PM is hosting in 2009).
The following photos are examples of a power soccer practice.
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Boccia
In Boccia each player has six balls (unless playing as pairs or a team) and aims to get their ball closest to the jack ball. Adaptive Boccia is played inside on a gym court. The adaptive balls are lighter and made with a material that is more like a rubber than a ceramic so the players have a better grip.
For people who do not have use of their arms, or for reasons of spasticity are not able to control them, chutes are used with the help of an assistant. The chutes are positioned according to where the player directs the assistant to place it and the ball is rolled onto the court. Some players have a specially made helmet with a long stick on it and use their head instead of the assistant to get the ball rolling down the chute.
Boccia is played in the BC Disability Games (which MR/PM is hosting in 2009).
If you are interested in more information please call Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods at 604-437-7331 or e-mail us at info@canbc.org
North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association
North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association (formerly Pacific Riding for the Disabled – Maple Ridge Branch) was established in 1973 to provide individuals with disabilities a venue that would give them both therapy and personal growth through horseback riding.
Continued growth and success has provided the opportunity for Maple Ridge to develop a new independent non-profit charitable society. North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association began as its own independent riding facility in January 2004. The backbone to the program which provides classes 6 days a week, has 14 horses and ponies as well as over 100 dedicated volunteers.
The disabilities that affect the riders are as varied as the riders themselves. The riders include victims of accidents, amputees, people with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida and many other mental and physical challenges.
Benefits
The benefits of therapeutic riding for people with disabilities are as varied as the individuals themselves. Participants will progress as riders at varying rates and may experience one or many of the following benefits.
- Improvement of balance
- Development of coordination
- Mobilization of trunk and pelvis
- Strengthening of muscles
- Normalization of muscle tone
- Prevention of contractures
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Improvement of attention span
- Promotion of independence
- Improvement of social integration
- Access to recreation, sport and/or competition
Horseback riding can give the rider the freedom to go wherever he or she wants to go without the burden of a wheelchair or cane. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the riders and observing the benefits of the bond formed between horse and rider is a remarkable sight!
www.nftra.org
NFTRA 604-462-7786
12471 254th Street Maple Ridge V4R 1V4
BC Special Olympics - Ridge Meadows
"Let me win, but if I can not win, Let me be brave in the attempt" Ridge Meadows Special Olympics is a year round training program for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The athletes compete on many levels, from skill development to highly competitive. The athletes compete in tournaments, qualifiers, Provincial, National and World Games.
Ridge Meadows provides a safe, fun and competitive environment for our athletes. Their main goal for this season is to encourage growth in all aspects of our programs.
Five sports are offered in Ridge Meadows, with hope for growth in the future. The sports offered are Floor Hockey, Aquatics, Bowling, Soccer and Softball.
For more information visit their web site www.pbsco.com/bcso or e-mail them at bcso@pbsco.com
