New Zealand Paralympic team to be celebrated with pop-up history

Children at a previous Paralympic show learning about wheelchair basketball skills. Photo supplied.

The New Zealand Paralympic team is being celebrated in Taranaki later this week.

The team will be in New Plymouth for a community event on September 26, and for a further two days for the Para Sport Pop Up.

The Para Sport Pop Up initiative is travelling around New Zealand in the lead-up to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, telling New Zealand's 50-year Paralympic history, increasing awareness of Para sport and influencing community perceptions of disabled people.

While it is a free event, donations to help support the New Zealand Paralympic team going to Tokyo in 2020 would be appreciated.

There will be different 'have a go' Para sport activities including:
- Vertical jump test challenge to try and jump as high as a Paralympian.
- Handcycle challenge.
- Give wheelchair basketball a go.
- Blind football virtual reality experience.
- Get a photo with Someity the Tokyo 2020 mascot.
- Learn more about Para sport.
- Meet with Paralympians, Para athletes or local Para sport stakeholders.
- Leave messages of support for the NZ Paralympic Team.
- If all the 'have a go' challenges have been completed, participants can enter a draw to win wireless headphones from Harvey Norman.

■ The Para Sport Pop Up is at Puke Ariki Landing, opposite the i-Site centre in New Plymouth from 10am-4pm on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September. Free entry.