Story and Photos by Cruisers Sports
A sport involving a degree of strength, agility, dedication, and skill; not necessarily what people may first think of when they see someone roll past in a wheelchair at the rink, or using canes to maneuver through a gymnasium.
Cruisers Sports for the physically disabled recognizes that physical disabilities don?t have to be a barrier to participating in sports. Cruisers are the largest sporting group for persons with disabilities in Ontario, if not in Canada. Currently over 90 people participate in Cruisers Sports from the Halton-Peel region. Our youngest member is two and our oldest over 61. Cruisers Spots offers sledge hockey, track, field, boccia, and wheelchair basketball, as well as a multi-sport group for young children learning new wheelchair skills.
We all recognize the benefits of physical fitness, as well as the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with being part of a team. Often persons with disabilities do not have the same chances to compete in sports and recreation as their able-bodied counter-parts. Only three per cent of persons with physical disabilities participate in sports, as opposed to 30 per cent of persons without disabilities. At Cruisers, our mission statement is ?To enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities through sports and recreation.?? Whether it is beginners wanting to have fun in a social setting, or athletes looking to compete at the highest levels, Cruisers Sports has something for everyone. A dedicated group of coaches, specialized equipment, and accessible venues means that everyone has a chance to play.
Sledge hockey is our most popular sport, and is played by men and women aged seven or older. Sledge is an adapted form of the stand-up version, is fast-paced and full contact. The swoosh of the sledge blades and thud of a good solid check leave no doubt that sledge hockey is a competitive sport and is taken seriously.? Players use a lightweight sledge that they sit on and strap their bodies tightly into. Persons propel themselves across the ice using two shortened versions of a hockey stick. At one end of each stick is a blade, with sharp picks on the other end. The picks enable the player to dig into the ice in order to move, turn, and stop. Players can shoot the puck with either hand.
Wheelchair basketball is also a popular sport that Cruisers offer. There are a variety of different levels: House League, a competitive developmental team, and for the more experience athletes, a competitive Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League. Rules are similar to stand-up basketball with only two pushes, or touches of the wheel, as opposed to two strides, before players must pass or dribble the ball. Basketball chairs are lightweight with a lower back than a regular street chair. This allows for the player to have greater mobility. The wheels on a basketball chair have an added ?camber? for stability.? Camber is the wider base of the wheels that not only gives the player greater stability, but also allows for swifter, smoother turns.
Track and Field is offered mostly in the spring and summer months. Racing wheelchairs are very different from both wheelchair basketball chairs and everyday street chairs. Long, low, and lightweight; they are built solely for speed. Athletes sit with their feet and knees tucked up in a ?pouch? and ride low over the wheels. In field, the throwing implements such as shot put, discus and javelins are the same as they are for able-bodied athletes competing. If an athlete uses a wheelchair they can throw from the wheelchair, or for added height transfer to a throwing chair. The throwing chair will not only give them height, but is also tied down to make a stable platform to throw from. Meets are held across Ontario and athletes are classified according to age, gender and ability.
Boccia is a sport of skill and precision for any age player. While boccia is a competitive sport at the Paralympics and players must have a physical disability that affects their upper body.? Some players use a ramping system to roll the boccia ball as opposed to throwing it. Boccia is similar to curling on a gym court, with the player having the closest ball to the ?jack (white) ball? winning that end.
The multi-sport group is a play-based group for the younger players.? Our youngest participant is two and the children have fun, while learning to push and control their wheelchairs. Cruisers believe that an early entry to sports leads to an increase in self-esteem and confidence, improves social skills, and promotes an awareness of differences. The multi-sport group learns the basics of physical fitness in a fun, safe environment. Children play games such as Red Rover, tag, mini-basketball, and big beach ball soccer.? Able-bodied siblings can play the games as well, as long as they are in a wheelchair. Parents enjoy the chance to socialize and interact with each other while watching their children play.
Cruisers Sports is not only a great place to play, train, and compete, but also a great place to volunteer or coach.? As a charitable organization Cruisers host many fundraisers and tournaments each year and truly appreciate all our fabulous volunteers. For more information on Cruisers Sports please go to www.crusiers-sports.com and watch for registration information in September.
Source: http://haltonsportsxpress.ca/2012/07/20/giving-everyone-a-chance-to-play/
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