Roller Blacks here for Parafed open days

HAVING FUN: Parafed Gisborne Tairawhiti recently teamed with Ngati Porou Surf Life Saving Club to provide a standup paddleboard experience for Parafed members at the Olympic Pool. Tama Wirepa makes it look easy with help from Peter Boyd. Picture supplied

Parafed Gisborne Tairawhiti will hold open days next month to showcase what the disability group has to offer the community.

Among the special guests will be members of the New Zealand wheelchair basketball team.

Parafed Gisborne Tairawhiti replaced the former Eastland Paraplegic and Physically Disabled Association about a year ago.

“Our focus is to provide sporting and recreational activities to those with physical disabilities,” said group treasurer Katie Holden.

The open days — at Ilminster Intermediate School gymnasium from 1pm on Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22 — are an opportunity for people to see what they are about.

“People will be able to have a go at some adaptive sports and we will have a barbecue going,” said Mrs Holden.

“The Roller Blacks will run a training session for anyone interested on the Friday afternoon and then another session on Saturday.

“They will put on an exhibition game with some of the Gizzy locals.”

Mrs Holden’s son Tama, 15, was born with cerebral palsy and hemiplegia on the right side of his body.

“We have not been a part of any group or organisation his entire life,” she said.

“Two years ago we discovered the Halberg Games. We attended and we loved it.

“There were so many children participating who were happy — in their element and enjoying themselves.”

It got her thinking about why Gisborne did not have a group like Parafed.

Funding was secured to hire a regional development coordinator — Shane Luke.

“He works in schools with children who would normally miss out on sport or recreational activities — sometimes one-on-one or with other peers,” said Mrs Holden.

“Shane also runs afterschool events like bowls and boccia, and we have ‘give it a go days’ like standup paddleboarding at the Olympic Pool.”

Parafed Gisborne, Tairawhiti also has surfing, waka ama and trail walks planned for the year.

“We have a couple of off-road wheelchairs people can borrow for walking Grey’s Bush, Morere and the like.

Parafed Gisborne Tairawhiti currently has seven members from as young as 11 through to 60.

“One of our members has represented New Zealand in parasport and I believe we will have other up-and-coming ones.”

A “pinnacle” event for young people (ages 8 to 21) is the annual Halberg Games involving hundreds of athletes in sports ranging from adaptive crossfit to golf; gymnastics to wheelchair rugby.

“It’s a fantastic event — a time for each person to shine, where they are chosen for a team, wear a team uniform with pride and have a real sense of belonging.”

Mrs Holden said Parafed Gisborne Tairawhiti was keen to attract more members and give the community “something it had been missing for a long time”.

“Membership is open to all people with a physical disability.”

The organisation can be contacted through its Facebook page Parafed Gisborne Tairawhiti or by ringing Mrs Holden on 021 913 430.

“This is such an exciting time for us and I am really looking forward to the outcome,” said Mrs Holden.

“I hope we can help more people and families.”